
Class. 
Book 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 





Ul.UCC^A^ 



"UNCLE JERRY." 



LIFE OF 

GENERAL JEREMIAH M. RUSK 

STAGE DRIVER, FARMER, SOLDIER, LEGISLATOR, 
GOVERNOR, CABINET OFFICER. 

BY HEN RY CASSON. 



WITH A CHAPTER BY 

EX-PRESIDENT BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



He was the Nation's Uncle Jerry."— Chicago Tribune. 



ILLUSTRATED. 



Madison, Wis. 
JUNIUS W. HILL, 

1895. 




$TS%1 0& 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight 
hundred and ninety-five, 

BY HENRY CASSON, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



To MARY EDITH RUSK 

The loving daughter, confidant and adviser, 
whose one ambition was the full success of her 
distinguished father, to which her constant de- 
votion in a large degree contributed, this im- 
perfect history of his life and public services is 
dedicated. 



Preface. 



It is the intention of the writer to present to the 
public a plainly written story of the life of a plain 
man who was great, whose greatness was widely 
recognized and appreciated, and whose character, 
both private and public, affords an example well 
worthy of study and emulation. 

No more picturesque life than that of Jeremiah 
McLain Kusk has had its being upon this soil. He 
was a perfect type of the best American citizen- 
ship, and his career is its own sufficient eulogy; 
for it was without the adventitious aid of fortune, 
patronage or liberal education, but solely by the 
right of his individual manhood, that he made his 
way from the plow and the stage driver's box to 
the cabinet of one of the greatest men who has 
served as our Chief Magistrate. 

Kindly deeds and generous friendships were al- 
ways his. The public services he rendered form 
a part of the nation's history, and it is believed 
that their record will interest the American peo- 
ple, to whose interests, in wisdom and in strength, 
the best years of his life were given. 

The writer is under deep obligation to ex-Presi- 



vi PREFACE. 

dent Benjamin Harrison for the tribute paid by 
him to his dead friend and cabinet minister in the 
introductory chapter. 

The chapters relative to General Rusk's ances- 
try and the formative period of his life were pre- 
pared under the direction of Mr. James M. Rusk, 
and involved a great amount of labor. 

Acknowledgments are also due to Dr. James B. 
Naylor, of Malta, Ohio, Gen. Charles King, who 
commanded the state militia at the time of the 
Milwaukee riots, Mr. George William Hill, of the 
United States Department of Agriculture, and Mr. 
Talma Drew, who was for a time private secretary 
to General Rusk. 



Table of Contents. 



CHAPTER I. 
Ex-President Benjamin Harrison's Estimate of Gen- 
eral Rusk, 

CHAPTER II. 
History of the Rusk Family, 20 

CHAPTER III. 
Valley of the Muskingum, 27 

CHAPTER IV. 
Pioneer Days in the Valley, 44 

CHAPTER V. 
Birthplace and Early Training of Jeremiah M. Rusk, 63 

CHAPTER VI. 

The Underground Railroad, . . . • .69 

CHAPTER VII. 

Life on the Rusk Farm, 7 ' 

CHAPTER VIII. 
Young Jerry's Education, °" 

CHAPTER IX. 
Primitive Farm Implements, 89 



via 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER X. 

His Father's Death. The Care of the Family, . . 91 

CHAPTER XL 

Rusk and Garfield, . . • 

CHAPTER XII. 
Rusk as a Railroad Foreman, 102 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Rusk as a Cooper, 106 

CHAPTER XIV. 
Emigrates to Wisconsin, HI 

CHAPTER XV. 
Elected to the Legislature, HI 

CHAPTER XVI. 
Recruits a Regiment for the War, .... 118 

CHAPTER XVII. 
Rusk's Bravery in Battle, 148 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Returns from the War. Prompt Recognition of His 

Services by the People, ...... 156 

CHAPTER XIX. 
Elected to Congress, ....... 158 

CHAPTER XX. 

Delegate to the Republican National Convention. 
Garfield and Conkling. All Night Interview with 
President Garfield, 163 

CHAPTER XXL 

Elected Governor. Railroad Troubles, . . . 167 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. ix 

CHAPTER XXII. 

His Labors as Governor. Humane Acts, . . . 174 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
The Milwaukee Riots of 1886, 179 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Commendation of the Governor's Course in Upholding 

Law and Order, 195 

CHAPTER XXV. 

Nominated for Governor a Third Time. His Message 

on the Riots, . 205 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

Declined to be a Candidate for a Fourth Term, . 211 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

The National Republican Convention of 1888. Senator 

Spooner's Speech, 213 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

His Staff of Maimed Heroes. Visit to General Har- 
rison, 223 

CHAPTER XXIX. 
Chauncey Depew on General Rusk, .... 228 

CHAPTER XXX. 
A Journalist's Pen Portrait of Governor Rusk, . 232 

CHAPTER XXXI. 
Cabinet Officer, 235 

CHAPTER XXXII. 
The Department of Agriculture, 238 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 
Secretary Rusk's Policy, 254 



x; 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 
Scope and Functions of the Department, . . .202 

CHAPTER XXXV. 
Experimental Work, > .278 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 
Bureau o* Animal Industry, 286 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 
Growth and Development— His Last Report, . . 297 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
General Rusk's Ideas on Protection, .... 315 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 
American Farming One Hundred Years Hence, . . 333 

CHAPTER XL. 

An Agricultural Address, 367 

CHAPTER XLI. 
His Defense of the Administration, .... 390 

CHAPTER XLII. 

Secretary Rusk's Loyalty to His Chief, . . . 413 

CHAPTER XLIII. 
Closing Work, 424 

CHAPTER XLIV. 
Retires to Private Life, 430 

CHAPTER XLV. 
Illness and Death, 437 

CHAPTER XLVI. 
The Funeral, 442 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. xi 

CHAPTER XLVII. 
Dedication of the Monument. Ex-Senator Spooner's 

Eulogy, 450 

CHAPTER XLVIII. 

General Rusk's Family, 480 

CHAPTER XLIX. 
General Rusk's Civil Record, 483 

CHAPTER L. 
Closing Words, 485 



Illustrations. 



Portrait of General Rusk, .... Frontispiece. 

House in which He was Born, 63 

Log School House, 86 

Major Jerry Rusk, 118 

Governor Rusk and Staff at General Grant's Funeral, 178 

Governor Rusk's Staff of Maimed Heroes, . . . 223 

President Harrison and Cabinet, 297 

The Rusk Residence at Viroqua, 430 

The Monument to General Rusk, 472 



JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 



CHAPTER I. 



PRESIDENT HARRISON'S ESTIMATE OF GENERAL 
RUSK. 

I have been asked to contribute to a biography 
of General Jeremiah M. Rusk such impressions of 
his character and of his public services as were 
derived by me from four years of close personal 
and official relations with him. I had only a 
slight acquaintance with General Rusk prior to 
his appointment as Secretary of Agriculture. The 
bill creating the Department of Agriculture re- 
ceived the approval of the President on the 9th 
day of February, 1889, only twenty-three days be- 
fore my inauguration. The probability that the 
bill would pass had caused me to give some 
thought to the fitness of several persons whose 
names had been suggested; but no selection had 
been made when I reached Washington on the 
26th day of February. My reflection upon the 
subject had resulted in the conclusion that the 
Secretary of Agriculture should be a man who, 



2 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

primarily, had a good practical knowledge of agri- 
culture — not of fancy farming, but of farming as 
a business, as a means of getting a livelihood; 
that he ought to come from one of the great agri- 
cultural states; that he ought to be a man in close 
touch with the class described by Mr. Lincoln as 
the "plain people;" and that, as he had a new de- 
partment to organize, and was to be an adviser of 
the President on all public questions, he ought to 
be a man experienced in public affairs and public 
administration. The easiest part of the work of 
an appointing officer is this work of sketching the 
characteristics of the man the office calls for. 
Very often well intentioned people came to me to 
describe the kind of man that ought to be ap- 
pointed to some important office. This was not 
very helpful, and I have often told such persons 
that I could imagine as large and as perfect a man 
as they could; that fancy sketches were not use- 
ful; that a portrait was wanted. Happy the Pres- 
ident who, when he has settled in his mind the 
high and varied qualities that the public service 
demands in a particular office, finds those quali- 
ties embodied in a man. 

This good fortune and more was mine in the se- 
lection of General Rusk to be Secretary of Agri- 
culture. He not only filled the measure of the 
man I wanted, but enlarged it. He was born and 
spent his boyhood on a farm. Of such is the king- 
dom of the fields. The boy who has had the mis 



PRESIDENT HA RRIS ON S TRIB UTE. 3 

fortune to be born in a city can never reach the 
33cl degree in the mystic brotherhood of the 
groves. The distinction between a pig-nut and a 
shell-bark must be acquired very early. The 
country boy has many tutors — the city boy only 
one. Work that had other ends than a base or a 
goal exercised the limbs and developed the char- 
acter of young Rusk. The implements of the farm, 
ploughing, seeding, harvesting, the markets, and 
all the close economies of the home became his fa- 
miliars. He imbibed the pride of a noble pursuit, 
and never lost it. All of his reports as Secretary 
glow with it: 

"It may be broadly stated [he wrote] that upon 
the productiveness of our agriculture and the pros- 
perity of our farmers the entire wealth and pros- 
perity of the whole nation depend." 

He never ceased to be a farmer, though he was 
much occupied as a soldier, and as a civil officer 
in public affairs. From the head of the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture he went to his beautiful and 
productive Wisconsin farm, and there resumed 
those homely but sweet relations with his old 
neighbors in which he and they so much de- 
lighted. 

But General Rusk was not only a real farmer, 
but a progressive and educated farmer. He did 
not take fright at new things, but welcomed them 
to friendly but strictly practical tests. He de- 
manded that science should come to the help of 



4 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

the farmer, as she had done to the help of the 
manufacturer. He was no theorist — he was above 
all things practical — but he entered with keen de- 
light into the experiments of the chemist and the 
investigations of the microscopist. He followed 
the chase of some insect pest of the field or or- 
chard with a zest akin to that with which he had 
pursued rebel bushwhackers. I have listened with 
great amusement to his account of the pursuit of 
a certain destructive bug which his agents had re- 
peatedly followed from Florida to Kentucky, only 
to lose it there; and often called upon him to re- 
port progress. He was highly appreciative of the 
scientific work done by his assistants, and his only 
restraint was to insist that their work should 
have a practical end in view, and one related to 
agriculture in its broadest sense: 

"The great nations of Europe [he wrote] strain 
every effort to make science the handmaid of war; 
let it be the glory of the great American people 
to make science the handmaid of agriculture." 

General Rusk was essentially a "plain" man in 
the sense in which Mr. Lincoln used the word. He 
was simple, natural, void of affectation, honest, 
frank, open. He was himself at home, and what 
is more, made others feel at home, in any company 
of decent people, however unlearned in books, and 
however untaught in the rules of etiquette. He 
entered into their amusements with naturalness 
and zest, and consulted with them as one who es- 



PRESIDENT HARBISON'S TRIBUTE. 5 

teemed them and sympathized with their pur- 
poses. This was not art; it was nature. He had 
experienced their experiences. These qualities 
not only made him a popular favorite, but pre- 
served him such. 

He was a man of the tenderest feelings. A very 
lion when confronting the assailants of his own 
or of his country's honor, I have seen his eyes melt 
and overflow at the appeal of distress, or as he 
answered an inquiry as to the state of a son 
stricken by disease, or by a pressure of the hand 
offered sympathy to one in sorrow. His hand 
could deal a blow that would fell an ox, or give 
to a friend a touch as light and sympathetic as a 
woman's. 

I have never known a man that I would choose 
before him to stand by and with me in any des- 
perate strait. His courage rose as the struggle 
became desperate. It was not possible for him to 
desert a post or a friend. You had no need to 
look over your shoulder when Jerry Busk stood 
between you and those who assailed you from the 
rear. His loyalty was as pure as gold and as stiff 
as a steel column. These traits were proved while 
he was in the cabinet. No temptation could lead 
him to seek a personal advantage at the cost of 
what his high sense of honor deemed to be loyalty 
to another. 

In his intercourse with men he was always af- 
fable, save when some wrong stirred his indigna- 



6 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

tion. His relations to the representatives of the 
press were so cordial that he secured their aid in 
disseminating the bulletins and other official pub- 
lications of his Department in an unusual degree. 
He was no babbler; but, sympathizing with the 
desire of the correspondents for news of public af- 
fairs, he always prepared for their use every im- 
portant transaction in his Department. The fa- 
vor and aid of the agricultural press he regarded 
as essential, and sought by every means to make 
it a channel of communication between the De- 
partment and the farmers. He was as willing to 
receive suggestion and information as to give 
them. One of his plans for keeping the Depart- 
ment in close relation with the farmers, and well 
informed as to the progress of agriculture, was to 
send a representative to each of the great agricul- 
tural fairs. Every Farmers' Institute and College, 
every Grange and other association having at 
heart the farmer's interests received from him the 
most friendly attention; and from them all he re- 
ceived commendation and assistance in his work. 
He did not think, or act as if he thought, that he 
knew more about agriculture than all the other 
farmers of the United States; and so there was no 
occasion for them to remind him that he did not. 
Upon this subject he said in his first report: 

"An immense amount of time and money is ex- 
pended in the aggregate upon these county fairs. 
To what extent they may be made subservient to 



PRESIDENT HARRISON'S TRIBUTE. 7 

the duties of this Department is necessarily a mat- 
ter of speculation, but I am convinced of the pro- 
priety of endeavoring to utilize these gatherings 
in some such way as I have indicated. Everything 
that leads to a more intimate acquaintance be- 
tween the Department and the farmers through- 
out the country must be mutually advantageous." 
(1889 Report, p. 12.) 

Of the valuable service done by the press he 
said, in one of his reports: 

"These advance sheets are furnished to the press 
associations, to all agricultural and many other 
weekly papers, to agricultural writers, and any 
journalists and editors applying for them. In this 
way, during the fifteen weeks ending October 31, 
no less than eighteen such synopses or resumes 
were distributed as above. It is a pleasure to re- 
cord the fact that the agricultural papers gener- 
ally, and the press as a whole, have shown a most 
commendable disposition to cooperate with the 
Department in its efforts to keep the farmers in- 
formed as to all that may be of practical service 
to them. In some cases a careful note kept of the 
newspapers publishing such advance sheets, 
apart from those covered by the press associa- 
tions, indicates an aggregate circulation of over 
1,000,000 copies. 

"A moment's consideration will show the value 
of a plan by which the benefits of a bulletin reach- 
ing 5,000 or 10,000 copies, and that by means of a 



8 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

circulation dragging along through many months, 
are communicated immediately to a circle of read- 
ers aggregating over three million persons, or 
nearly one-sixth of our entire adult farming popu- 
lation. Indeed this plan virtually covers the en- 
tire field, for the farmer who does not read some 
paper devoted to his calling is practically beyond 
the reach of intelligent effort on his behalf. It 
moreover invites application for special bulletins 
in advance of their publication by interested par- 
ties, an important consideration, for in the giving 
of valuable information 'he gives twice who gives 
promptly.' " (1889 Report, pp. 7 and 8.) 

Perhaps the greatest work accomplished by 
General Rusk in the Department was in connec- 
tion with the removal or amelioration of the re- 
strictions imposed by European countries upon 
the importation of American live stock and meats. 
In his first report he very wisely accepted the con- 
clusion that if we would put ourselves in a posi- 
tion to refute the statements made in those coun- 
tries as to the unhealthfulness of American 
meats, we must make an official inspection before 
the meats left our shores. Upon this subject he 
said: 

"Rumors of cattle diseases in this country hav- 
ing little foundation, if any, in fact, continue to 
be widely circulated in foreign countries, to the 
great injury of our cattle trade. The existence 
of a demand for our surplus meat products in 



PRESIDENT HARRISON'S TRIBUTE. 9 

these countries is nevertheless plainly evident, 
and it is in the highest degree desirable that the 
Government of this country should adopt all 
means in its power to secure for our producers 
every opportunity to compete on fair terms in the 
markets of the world for the disposal of their sur- 
plus production. I would therefore insist most 
strongly upon the necessity of such a national in- 
spection of cattle at the time of slaughter as 
would not only secure the condemnation of car- 
casses unfit for food, if there be any, and guaranty 
the accepted product as untainted by disease, but 
which should enable the national authorities to 
promptly discover any cattle-disease centers, thus 
putting it in the power of the Department to take 
immediate steps for its control and eradication. 
"While earnestly repudiating the captious ob- 
jections made on the part of foreign authorities 
to the wholesomeness of our meat products, still, 
as long as we neglect to take the precautions uni- 
versally adopted by the governments of those 
countries in which we seek a market for these 
products, and leave it to the officials of other 
countries to inspect our live cattle or our meats, 
it is impossible for us to present as forcible argu- 
ments as we could otherwise do against restric- 
tions on our trade, these foreign governments 
claiming, with some show of reason, that they 
have better opportunities for learning of disease 
among American cattle than are enjoyed by the 



10 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

American Government itself. It is time to put 
a stop to tin's anomalous condition, and I there- 
fore earnestly recommend such an amendment to 
the law under which the Bureau [of Animal In- 
dustry — a branch of the Department] is at present 
organized as will provide for such official national 
inspection as shall guaranty the fitness of our 
meat products for food consumption under the 
seal of the United States Government" (1889 
Report, pp. 34, 35.) 

On August 30, 1890, Congress, in response to 
this appeal, passed a law providing for the inspec- 
tion of all cattle, sheep and swine, and of salted 
pork and bacon, intended for export to countries 
requiring inspection, or upon the request of any 
exporter of meats. 

It was made unlawful to import into the United 
States any dangerously adulterated food or drink 
intended for human consumption; and the Presi- 
dent was given power to exclude such articles, and 
also to prohibit the importation of specified ar- 
ticles from any foreign country which should un- 
justly discriminate against the products of the 
United States. 

The work of organizing an inspecting force and 
making such regulations as would insure perfect 
results was a large and difficult one; and the rap- 
idity and effectiveness with which it was accom- 
plished showed the energy and organizing power 
of the Secretary. 



PRESIDENT HABBI SON'S TRIBUTE. 11 

In 1890 there were exported 394,836 head of cat- 
tle, 91,148 live hogs, and 67,521 sheep. Every in- 
dividual of these immense herds and droves and 
flocks was to be examined. A plan of putting a 
metal tag, marked with a number, in the ear of 
each bullock, with a view to tracing not only the 
inspection, but of following the animal back to the 
pen or pasture from which it went to market, was 
adopted, that the history of the animal might be 
disclosed in case of an allegation that it was dis- 
eased. Not content with this, the Secretary 
sought and obtained, through the State Depart- 
ment, the consent of the British authorities to 
have skilled American veterinarians participate 
in the inspection at the British docks where our 
cattle were required to be slaughtered. Of the 
inspection thus conducted the Secretary said in 
his report for 1891: 

"But three allegations of cases of this disease 
among American cattle landed in Great Britain 
have been cited by the British authorities, each 
of which was disputed by our American inspect- 
ors, and in only two cases of them did the British 
authorities adhere with some firmness to their 
diagnosis. Thanks to our system of identifica- 
tion, these two cases were traced in the manner 
I have indicated, and in every particular their life 
history sustained the diagnosis of our inspectors, 
which was, I should say, supported by many of 



12 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

the leading veterinarians in Great Britain at the 
time." (Report 1891, p. 16.) 

The injustice practiced against us in continuing 
the requirement that all American cattle should 
be slaughtered at the docks roused the Secretary 
to say: 

"These facts, in my opinion, would amply just- 
ify this Government in making to the British Gov- 
ernment the strongest presentation of the griev- 
ance which our cattle raisers suffer unjustly at 
their hands, by reason of the arbitrary regula- 
tions enforced against our American cattle in 
British ports owing to an alleged dread of con- 
tagious diseases, coupled with an urgent demand 
for the removal of obstacles which we have 
clearly shown to be useless, and the maintenance 
of which can only be regarded as an evidence of 
unfriendliness. Justice as well as proper self- 
respect demand such a course. 

"Unless we can secure from the British Govern- 
ment the removal of the unfriendly restrictions 
now bearing so hardly upon our cattle trade, I 
shall feel it to be my duty to suggest the rigid en- 
forcement of the law now in existence prohibiting 
the importation into the United States of all live 
animals, a law which has only been suspended as 
a matter of friendship to foreign governments. 
That we have far more justification for the exclu- 
sion from the United States of all animals coming 
from Great Britain and its dependencies than 



PRESIDENT HARRISON'S TRIBUTE. 13 

they have for the interposition of any obstacles 
to our cattle exports from the United States, is 
shown by the recent report of Prof. Brown, the 
veterinarian of the British Privy Council, who ad- 
mits in the plainest manner that no hopes exist 
in that country of ever absolutely suppressing 
pleuro-pneumonia, and shows, indeed, that such 
measureable success as he has faint hopes of at- 
taining in the control of it is to be obtained only 
by methods which are nothing more than those 
adopted by ourselves and to which, promptly and 
vigorously enforced, we owe our present success 
in the complete control of this disease." 

The official correspondence between the Secre- 
tary of Agriculture and the Secretary of State 
shows the unremitting industry of General Rusk 
in bringing to the attention of our diplomatic rep- 
resentatives at the European capitals every fact 
tending to show the healthfulness of American 
meats and every consideration showing the un- 
just nature of the restrictive regulations imposed 
by those governments upon their importation. 
Having procured legislation providing for an offi- 
cial inspection and certification, and having or- 
ganized a careful examination of all animals and 
meats intended for export, he was not only impa- 
tient but indignant at the delay in according 
equal and fair terms to American meats in Euro- 
pean markets. General Rusk was not a diplo- 
matist, and did not see why the right should not 



j 4 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

have instant way. He fought and quarantined 
pleuropneumonia in this country until he was 
able to issue an announcement that the disease 
was extinct. He regulated the shipment of Texas 
cattle, and with the cooperation of the railroads 
and stockyards made such careful provisions for 
the separation of such cattle, and the disinfecting 
of cars and pens, that the spread of Texas fever 
was prevented. He organized in the great pack- 
ing houses corps of inspectors with their micro- 
scopes, and gave to our export animals and meats 
a more assured character for healthfulness than 
the meats of any other country had; and when 
the evidence of all this was submitted he was 
ready to demand that the restrictions be removed, 
and on refusal at once to use the retaliatory meas- 
ures provided by law. In his letter to the Secre- 
tary of State, of date of November 16, 1892, he 
said: 

"It simply means that an unjust discrimination 
is to be enforced for all time against one of the 
most important branches of our trade with that 
country. Against such discrimination this Gov- 
ernment has a right to protest in the most vigor- 
ous language at its command." 

In the same letter he showed that we had a 
much better case for the quarantining of Cana- 
dian cattle, and added: 

"I have delayed the quarantine restrictions in 
the hopes that a further investigation would be 



PRESIDENT HARBISON'S TRIBUTE. 15 

made and a more liberal policy adopted by the 
British Government. If such is not to be ex- 
pected, however, then I see no alternative but to 
apply the same regulations, and for the same rea- 
son, to cattle imported into this country from 
Great Britain and its dependencies." 

And in February, 1893, he wrote: 

"It is not denied that the Government of Great 
Britain may properly take such action as is con- 
sidered necessary to protect the stock interests of 
the United Kingdom from contagious diseases, 
but it may at the same time be asserted that that 
Government has no right to put the stigma of con- 
tagious disease upon the great export trade of this 
country in live cattle without better evidence than 
has so far been produced." 

He did not succeed in procuring a revocation 
of the English restrictions upon our cattle trade, 
but the restrictions upon the importation of our 
pork products did give way before his persistent 
assaults. In January, 1891, he wrote to Mr. 
Blaine: 

"It appears from said dispatch that the only 
prohibition now in force against the importation 
of swine and swine products into Germany is the 
one maintained against such importation from the 
United States. For ten years Germany has con- 
tinued this unjust and unwarranted exclusion of 
American pork from her domain, and I believe the 
time has now come when the German Government 



/ 



16 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

should be given to understand that there are eco- 
nomic reasons why this edict should be revoked. 
The allegations made in 1880, at the time of the 
first edict issued by the German Government pro- 
hibiting the importation of American pork into 
that country, has been repeatedly shown by this 
Department, by special investigations and reports 
placed in the hands of your officers, to be untrue, 
and it does not comport with the dignity and self- 
respect of this Government to longer tolerate such 
a policy as is being pursued by the Government of 
Germany against the food products of the United 
States. 

"I would respectfully urge that our minister at 
Berlin be promptly instructed to make a final ap- 
peal to the German Government to remove the 
discrimination made against the animal products 
of this country. 

"Should this appeal fail I shall feel it my duty 
to call the attention of the President of the United 
States to this unwarranted discrimination, and 
recommend the suspension, by proclamation, of 
the importation into the United States from Ger- 
many of such articles as he may think advisable, 
under the provisions of section 5 of the act of Con- 
gress approved August 30, 1890." 

In March he repeated his recommendation for 
retaliatory measures. The State Department and 
our ministers cooperated and did excellent service, 
but it is only the truth to say that the work of the 



PRESIDENT HARRISON'S TRIBUTE. 17 

Department of Agriculture was the basis of all 
their appeals and the essential condition of their 
success, and that the enthusiasm and vigor of Gen- 
eral Rusk could not have been spared. It is prob- 
ably true that the reciprocity arrangement with 
Germany, relating to sugar, had a moral influence 
in securing the decree of September 3, 1891, revok- 
ing the German prohibition, but the decree was 
put upon the sufficiency and the acceptance of our 
inspection. Italy, Spain and France followed, and 
either rescinded or greatly ameliorated their re- 
strictions upon our meats. For many years this 
Government had been vainly laboring to open 
these valuable markets to our pork products, and 
the victory was notable and highly advantageous 
to the American farmer. 

These are only some of the labors and successes 
achieved by General Rusk in his Department. His 
efforts to introduce the various products of iDdian 
corn to the tables of England and the Continent, 
by maintaining an agent to provide the materials 
and to instruct the people in their use, were meas- 
urably successful, and have opened a field of effort 
that, if diligently and patiently cultivated, will 
yield rich returns to American agriculture. 

General Rusk had large views as to the proper 
scope of the Department of Agriculture. He ad- 
vocated an inspection not only of meats for export, 
but for domestic use and the inspection of all food 
2 



) 



18 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

products in order to protect our people from adul- 
terated and unskillful preparations. He said: 

"My second proposition involves the conferring 
upon the Secretary of Agriculture of the fullest 
powers necessary for the supervision and control 
of all interstate or foreign commerce in agricul- 
tural products and of fraudulent and other substi- 
tutes therefor, for the investigation of all animal 
diseases, and for the control of the movement of 
all animals which may be affected by communi- 
cable diseases, and even within certain limits for 
an adequate supervision of the trade in agricul- 
tural products in all foreign markets." (Report 
1891, p. 59.) 

"The object to be kept in view, and one which 
ought to be dear to every American citizen, is 
that, in so far as all American products are con- 
cerned which enter into food consumption, the 
word 'American' shall be recognized the world 
over as synonymous with healthfulness and hon- 
esty, and that, wherever it is seen, the certificate 
of this Department shall stand for a brand of ex- 
cellence." (Report 1892, p. 62.) 

This is a mere sketch of a few of the great trans- 
actions with which General Rusk associated his 
name during his administration of the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture. He was a model Secretary 
in his special work; and his large experience in 
public life, as Governor of Wisconsin for three 
terms, and as a Representative in Congress for six 



PRESIDENT HARBISON'S TRIBUTE. 19 

years, made him a valued adviser at the Cabinet 
board. He was patriotic through and through, 
and an American before all else. When any ques- 
tions affecting American interests, or the national 
dignity or honor were under discussion, he was an 
advocate of vigorous measures. He always "stood 
in" with his colleagues, and sought no fame at 
their cost. He stood by what was concluded, 
though he had advised against it — for to him the 
administration was single, and he a part of it. 

My personal relations with him and with his 
family were delightful, and the memory of them 
is not marred by a single unpleasant incident. I 
trusted him fully and he was true. His frame was 
so stalwart that it seemed that it could defy dis- 
ease — and mind and heart were of the same large 
mold. Like Lincoln, he multiplied small chances, 
and on a hard and barren youth builded a great 
life. Men of other characters, and of other attain- 
ments are needed in American public life, but the 
type of Jeremiah M. Kusk cannot be spared. 

Benjamin Harrison. 



20 JEREMIAH M. E USE. 



CHAPTER II. 

RUSK'S ANCESTRY. 

The family name Rusk, a modification of Roux, 
is of undeniable Celtic origin, and is known to an- 
tedate the present civilization of either Italy or 
France, where its representatives may be found, 
as well as throughout the United Kingdom. The 
family was a migratory one, settled in various 
parts, and in Ireland the name Roux became Rusk, 
and in America it has remained without further 
change. 

The first American ancestor of General Rusk, 
his grandfather, James Rusk, possessed traits of 
independence, courage, and innate love of justice, 
which certainly, if they were prophetic, bore good 
fruit in the subject of this history. He was born 
in the north of Ireland, near Londonderry, and 
came to America while quite young, and under cir- 
cumstances not without a tinge of romance. That 
was nearly a century and a quarter ago, just be- 
fore the outbreaking of the revolutionary war, in 
the winter before the spring of Lexington. In Ire- 
land the systematic wrongs of absentee landlord- 



B USE? S ANCESTR F. 21 

ism, backed by the extreme severity of the law, 
the heartless administration of the crown offices, 
and the intolerably oppressive practices of resi- 
dent agents, had provoked a spirit of resistance 
neither more nor less than human, and in these 
later days recognized as essentially American. If 
we had to relate facts of history, now happily long 
past, it might be well to dwell at some length upon 
the conditions under which the earlier relatives of 
Jeremiah M. Rusk endured to suffer, and which 
served largely in the formation of their sturdy 
character; but while it is probably true that some 
evil influences under which they labored still exist, 
though shorn in a measure of their strength, it is 
deemed that adherence to the purpose announced 
in the preface deters the writer from making an- 
cient history of the life of a man of the present, 
and that in giving only such facts as are essential, 
and require no analysis, all really useful purposes 
will be subserved; for, after all, it is only as an 
American that General Rusk, his life and char- 
acter, stand before the world today. 

James Rusk labored on an Irish estate, and the 
legal agent of the absent landlord brutally in- 
sulted his parents. He received from James a 
'blow which felled him to the earth, and the pen- 
alty of which, as the law then stood, was death. 
Evading the officers of the crown, he quickly 
reached the coast, and, aided by a band of smug- 
glers, was given over to the captain of a vessel 



22 JEREMIAH 31. B USK. 

bound for America, under the condition that upon 
his arrival here he should be sold in bondage to 
any bidder who would pay the highest price for 
his services for a time sufficient to make his pas- 
sage good. Arriving at the port of Baltimore, 
which then had very few houses of which to boast, 
he was duly sold, and retired for the term of his 
service to a plantation in Maryland, then a colony 
of Great Britain. Here he formed a close friend- 
ship with John Faulkner, at that time the leading 
representative of his family in the colony, a friend- 
ship strengthened later by their years of service 
together in the American army, which brought 
them over the mountains, along the now nearly 
forgotten Braddock Trail, and which bore them to 
their place of death and burial, on a tributary of 
the beautiful Muskingum river, near to the birth- 
place of General Busk, and only a few miles dis- 
tant from the earliest settlement in what became 
the great Northwest Territory, which at the time 
of its establishment included the present states 
of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wiscon- 
sin, together with a part of Minnesota. 

By James Busk the wrongs perpetrated by the 
British Government upon its American dependen- 
cies were easily recognized, and when the war be- 
gan, when the battles cf Concord and Lexington 
had been fought, his service under the strange 
laws of those times, together with the natural in- 
stinct which aroused his ardor in favv>r of the then 



It USK> S ANCES TB Y. 23 

new patriotism, induced him to beg from his legal 
owner the favor of a transfer from the farm to the 
army of the revolution. This being granted, he 
enlisted, together with Faulkner, almost at the 
opening of the war; and the two men, remaining 
together, did honorable service throughout the en- 
tire revolutionary struggle. Both became pen- 
sioners, and enjoyed the land bounties graciously 
bestowed by a grateful government which they 
had assisted in erecting. 

This part of the life of James Rusk is not barren 
of interest. His courage and daring became mat- 
ters of repute, and for much of the time he was 
assigned to duty with scouting and foraging par- 
ties. One of his exploits, upon which he especially 
prided himself, took place near the house of Mis- 
tress Mott, who is so well known in the romance 
of those days. There was a little eating house by 
the wayside, before which seven British soldiers, 
unaware of the nearness of any patriot scouts, 
had stacked their muskets, gone within, and en- 
tered upon a carousal of eating and drinking. It 
so happened that James Rusk, himself unseen, wit- 
nessed the inauguration of this business, and de- 
termined, alone as he was, to capture the men 
single-handed or die in the attempt. Quietly get- 
ting to the stack of arms, he cocked and presented 
a musket in the doorway, demanding instant sur- 
render. His enemies could not do otherwise, they 
had to surrender, and James followed them into 



24 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

the camp of his company, where they were thank- 
fully received as prisoners of war. Asked how he 
had captured so many, he replied — 

"By Gad, I surrounded them!" 

Another anecdote of his revolutionary career 
should not be overlooked. He always maintained 
that on the fateful night of Paoli he had a true 
presentiment of the attack to be made, and that 
to the scouting party with which he was to be 
located death was inevitable. He said to himself 
that while no post of duty would ever be deserted 
by him, unnecessary sacrifice of life might be for 
once avoided, and, retiring to a point within hear- 
ing distance of his comrades, he witnessed their 
surprise by a greatly superior force which killed 
them to a man. 

Shortly after the conclusion of the war James 
Rusk married a lady named Ann Eobb, who was 
of Scotch-Irish descent. Her parents resided in 
Maryland, and it is through their line that the re- 
lationship between the Eusks and the McLains 
comes, as does that of the Eusks with the Faulk- 
ners.* 

The war ended, and James Rusk located near 
Pittsburg. His wife bore him nine children, five 

* This name has been corrupted. Originally spelled Falkner, 
the I was afterward dropped, as we learn from written documents; 
and the name Fakner is a corruption of Falkner, which is formed 
by the dropping of the u in the name as now spelled in both Eng- 
land and Ireland. 



EUSIFS ANCESTRY. 25 

boys and four girls, and all in the United States 
who now bear the name are supposed to be de- 
scendants of these children, with the exception of 
some in the South. It is known that another 
branch of the family, not emigrating from Ireland, 
settled in the Carolinas or Georgia, or possibly in 
Louisiana. 

Of James Rusk's children, John,' the eldest, mar- 
ried and settled in Ohio, and the next one, Nancy, 
married John Rattan, who never came so far west. 
Sarah married one Singleton, who settled in Buck- 
eye and Prairie Counties, Ohio, and Samuel mar- 
ried a woman named Brown, also locating in 
Prairie County. James, named for his father, 
went to that part of the Northwest Territory 
which is now Illinois, became prominent in the lo- 
cal affairs of the state, and we believe was at one 
time a member of its legislature. He lived near 
Chicago. William settled at Columbus, Ohio; his 
sisters Margaret and Jane in the valley of Wolf 
Creek, in the same state, near its first settlement 
at Brown's Mills. 

Daniel Rusk, the father of Jeremiah McLain 
Rusk, was born in Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg 
and the scene of Braddock's defeat. Jeremiah 
was the youngest of eleven children, of whom the 
others (named in the order of their birth) were 
John, Annie, James, Ruel, Daniel, Elizabeth, Jane, 
Simon, Allen and Margaret. Of these Daniel, Jane 
and Allen survive. 



26 J E BE Ml All M. RUSK. 

Daniel Rusk's wife, the mother of Jeremiah M. 
Rusk, was Jane, daughter of John Faulkner, who, 
as has already been stated, came to this country 
before the revolutionary war, settling first in 
Maryland, and afterward in the neighborhood of 
Pittsburg, near his friend, James Rusk. Her 
mother's name had been Elizabeth Hanna, who 
was a lady of Irish descent on the maternal side, 
and resided with her father in Maryland. She was 
the third of nine children, six daughters and three 
sons, and was born in Pennsylvania. 



THE VALLEY OF THE MUSKINGUM. 27 



CHAPTER III. 

THE VALLEY OF THE MUSKINGUM. 

What memories cluster about this name! The 
Indian called the river the Muskingum, which 
means Moose Eye, because its waters seemed to re- 
flect the peculiarly beautiful tint of blue seen in 
the eye of that noble animal, and perhaps there 
only. At the mouth of this river the first settle- 
ment in the Northwest Territory was made, and 
here it was that the earliest civilization upon soil 
dedicated to absolute human freedom was made; 
for by the contract under which the Ohio Company 
held their rights, and indeed as a part of the ordi- 
nance creating the Territory itself, no man could 
be a slave within the boundaries. In this section 
of Ohio Generals Grant, Sherman, Sheridan and 
Rusk, and Hon. Stephen B. Elkins were born. 

It was on the 26th day of July, 1788, that the 
Territorial Governor, Arthur St. Clair, proclaimed 
the establishment of the first county organized in 
this new Territory, and to which, in honor of our 
country's Father, he gave the name of Washing- 
ton. This county then embraced about one-half 



28 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

of what is now the State of Ohio, and included 
within itself almost the entire valley of the Mus- 
kingum, which soon became the principal artery 
and highway of commerce for the great section 
now including, on the one hand, Ohio, Indiana, Illi- 
nois and Wisconsin, and on the other Missouri and 
Kentucky. II ere was the home of that great, intel- 
ligent, and peacefully disposed Indian tribe, the 
Delawares, who, as is well known, were awarded 
a high rank as men in the pages of our Cooper's 
novels and in the published memoirs of the Mora- 
vian missionaries. That these aborigines were less 
warlike than the other natives has been attributed 
to the fact that as a tribe they more readily and 
fully accepted the doctrines of our Christian re- 
ligion, and turned their attention from the paths 
of war to those of peace. In this they presented 
a most striking contrast to their ancient allies, the 
Wyandots, who submitted their heathenism to the 
better influences of our faith only through the elo- 
quence of such men as Finley. Their inflexible 
character is well illustrated in an anecdote re- 
lated of General Wayne ("Mad Anthony"). When 
the General took command of the post at Green- 
ville, in 1793, he sent for Captain Wells, who or- 
dered a company of scouts, and instructed him to 
proceed to Sandusky, there to take an Indian pris- 
oner, from whom valuable information might be 
procured. Now it happened that Wells, who in 
his boyhood had himself been taken by the Wyan- 



THE VALLEY OF THE MUSKLNOUM. 29 

dots, and held by them for many years, was per- 
fectly acquainted with their character. He said 
to General Wayne: 

"I can get you an Indian prisoner, but not from 
Sandusky, sir." 



"And why not from Sandusk 



?» 



"At Sandusky there are only Wyandots." 

"Will one of them not answer our purpose?" 

"Oh no, sir!" 

"And why not, captain?" 

"For the best of reasons — a Wyandot will never 
be taken alive." 

Throughout our history, recorded and tradi- 
tional, with its great procession of events, the 
war for the union, the extinction of negro slavery, 
the burning struggle for the right of free thought, 
which makes tolerance in religious matters possi- 
ble, and in all else of modern civilization which 
has liberty for its watchword, there are points of 
pleasant memory in this Valley of the Mus- 
kingum, of which the following sketch is given 
by Doctor James B. Naylor, of Malta, Ohio: 

There's a valley that lies amid verdure-crowned hills, 
And a beautiful river flows through it; 

This river was fed by the most sparkling rills 
In the days when the red men first knew it. 

And these children of nature gazed into its reach, 
Reflecting the blue of the sky, 

And gave it the name — in their gutteral speech — 
Of "Muskingum", which means the Moose Eye. 

Visitors from the East have called the Mus- 



£0 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

kingum the "Miniature Hudson." It is situated 
in the rough hill country of southeastern Ohio, 
and winds its serpentine course for a hundred 
miles through a valley replete with beautiful scen- 
ery. Precipitous hills border the valley, and from 
their abrupt slopes project frowning ledges of 
sandstone. These hills rise to the height of 
several hundred feet above the bed of the river, 
and are seamed and scarred by innumerable gul- 
lies and ravines. 

Here the yawning mouth of a deep and dark 
gorge opens up to the right or left, and there a 
wooded promontory stands forth to intercept the 
clear river washing its base. Just at the bend 
above, where the green hills apparently meet and 
present an insurmountable barrier to the spark- 
ling stream, nature's battlement of gray sand- 
stone furnishes footing to a gigantic sentinel oak 
tossing its arms to the passing breeze, and serving 
as a landmark for miles around; while at the bend 
below a tiny sand bar reaches forth its shining 
finger to toy with the elusive current. 

"Over yander, where the willers 
Lop their branches in the pool, 

An' the waves 're gently lappin', 
Sort o' lazy-like an' cool " — 

a number of white-topped tents, peeping from 

their cozy retreat, mark the site of an outing party. 

At one point a village of white cottages nestles 

at the foot of the hills, and at another a crumbling 



THE VALLEY OF TILE MUSKINGUM. 31 

brick chimney indicates the location of an ancient 
salt furnace, and stands as a monument to an in- 
dustry now dead. 

A trip along this beautiful valley at any season 
of the year amply repays the tourist, but the time 
above all others is midsummer, when the trees 
upon the wooded slopes are in full foliage, and 
the golden grain and the sweet-smelling clover are 
wooed by the fiery god, and kissed by the drowsy 
winds. 

The journey can be made either by boat or rail, 
but the boat is the better way. At every turn of 
the river the panorama changes. Here one be- 
holds an ever-shifting vista of level fields, verdant 
hill slopes, and towering precipices, and there the 
water pours in a thunderous cascade over the 
mossy timbers of a mill dam; and we see a rugged 
fisherman, perched upon the sloping lockwall, and 
dangling his feet in the frothy foam, fishing and 
dreaming. 

Before white men set foot in the valley it was 
the home of the far-famed Delaware Indians, who 
gave to the river its poetic name. 

The lodge of the Delaware stood on its shore, 
And his fragile canoe cut its foam; 

His sinewy arm plied the light ashen oar 
As he stemmed the fierce current near home; 

While back in the forest when flowers were out- 
And the sweetest of perfumes did blow, 

The cliff and the hillside reechoed the shout 
Of the copper-hued children below. 



32 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

From Marietta, -where the Muskingum de- 
bouches into the Ohio, to Zanesville, a distance of 
eighty miles, dams and locks have been placed, 
about ten miles apart, and these are the source of 
abundant water power, utilized by the mills and 
factories upon the stream. 

These public works have much changed the ap- 
pearance of the picturesque river. Now no longer 
a swift dashing torrent, fretting its banks, tum- 
bling and frothing over the numerous rocky ob- 
structions in its way, it has been transformed into 
a chain of placid lakes, navigable throughout their 
course for freight and passenger steamers. The 
steamboat has superseded the dugout canoe, and 
factories now buzz where stood the wigwams of 
the savage; and where he once chased the deer 
and tracked the wolf we find cultivated fields and 
white-painted farm houses. 

A hamlet now stands where the wigwam of bark 
Was outlined against the huge trees; 

The fire of a furnace illumines the dark, 
And the black smoke is borne on the breeze, 

Where many moons past the tired warrior wound 
The blanket about his great form, 

And, throwing himself on the hard-frozen ground, 
Would slumber protected and warm. 

The Moose Eye rolls down from the north as of old, 
But its current is hindered and stayed 

By works that have called for both courage and gold — 
Such dams as the beaver ne'er made. 

No dugout canoe on its surface now floats, 
And the dip of the paddle is still, 

But the echoes are waked by the puff of the boats 
And the buzz of the wheels at the mill. 



THE VALLEY OF THE MUSKINGUM. 33 

From one end to the other the valley is replete 
with historical places. Beginning at Point Har- 
nier, at the mouth of the river, the first white set- 
tlement in Ohio, the ascending tourist passes in 
succession the scene of the block house massacre 
at Big Bottom; the sites of the homes of the chris- 
tianized and hermitized Delaware Indian chief- 
tains, Silver Heels and Douda; the little and big 
Ludlo's, where the keel-boat builders launched 
their vessels in the early part of the century; the 
precipitous point where brave John Morgan and 
his band of taterdemalion raiders crossed the 
river in the latter days of the war of the rebellion; 
the log cabin where James A. Garfield taught a 
school when a mere lad; the Whetzel Kock, on 
which the famous Indian-fighter, Lewis Whetzel, 
carved his- name with a horn-handled hunting- 
knife; Dead Man's Rock, etc. Messrs. James M. 
Rusk, nephew of Jeremiah M. Rusk, and Jesse 
Davis of McConnelsville, propose to mark with a 
monument the site of the block-house massacre, 
the bloodiest tragedy that ever occurred on the 
now peaceful banks of the Muskingum. A re- 
liable account of that terrible affair will be of in- 
terest. 

The first settlement in Morgan County, made at 

Big Bottom, on the Muskingum, near the south 

line of the county, was broken up by the Indians. 

In the autumn of 1790 a company of thirty-six 

3 



34 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

men went from Marietta and commenced the set- 
tlement. They erected a block-house on the first 
bottom on the east bank of the river, four miles 
above the mouth of Meigs Creek. They were 
chiefly young, single men, but little acquainted 
with Indian warfare or military rules. 

Those best acquainted with the Indians, and 
those most capable of judging from appearances, 
had little doubt that they were preparing for hos- 
tilities, and strongly opposed the settlers going 
out that fall, advising them to remain until spring, 
when the question of war or peace would probably 
be settled. Even Gen. Putnam, and the directors 
of the Ohio Company, who gave away the land for 
settlement thought the adventure imprudent, and 
strongly remonstrated against it. 

But the young men were impatient, confident in 
their own prudence and ability to protect them- 
selves. They went, put up a block-house which 
might accommodate them all in an emergency, 
covered it, and laid puncheon floors, stairs, etc. It 
was built of large beech logs, and left rather open, 
the logs not being "chinked." Here was their first 
great error. Ceasing to complete the work, the 
general interest was lost in that of individual con- 
venience. 

Their second error was that they kept no sentry, 
and neglected to stockade and set pickets around 
the block-house. No system of defense and dis- 
cipline was introduced. Their guns lay, without 



THE VALLEY OF THE MUSKINGUM. 35 

order, about the house. Twenty men usually 
stayed in the house, but at the time of the mas- 
sacre some of this number were absent. One end 
of the building was appropriated for a fireplace, 
and at the close of day all came in, a large fire was 
built, and the cooking and eating of suppers be- 
gan. The weather for some time previous to the 
attack, as we learn from the diary of Hon. Paul 
Fearing, who lived at Fort Harmer, had been 
quite cold. It was not customary for the Indians 
to venture out on war parties in the midst of 
winter. 

About twenty rods above the block-house, and 
a little back from the bank of the river, Francis 
and Isaac Choate, members of the company, had 
erected a cabin and commenced clearing their 
lots. Thomas Shaw, a hired laborer in the em- 
ploy of the Choates, and James Patten, another of 
the associates, lived with them. About the same 
distance below the garrison was an old "toma- 
hawk improvement" and a small cabin which two 
men, Asa and Eleazer Bullard, had fitted up and 
now occupied. The Indian war path from San- 
dusky to the mouth of the Muskingum passed 
along the opposite shore, in sight of the river. 

The Indians, who, during the summer, had been 
hunting and loitering about the settlements at 
Wolf Creek Mills and Plainfield, holding frequent 
and apparently friendly intercourse with the set- 
tlers, bartering venison and bear meat for green 



36 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

corn and vegetables, had withdrawn early in the 
autumn, and gone well up the river into the vi- 
cinity of their towns, for winter quarters. Being 
well acquainted with all the approaches to these 
settlements, and with the manner in which the in- 
habitants lived, each family in their own cabin, 
unapprehensive of danger, the Indians planned a 
war party for their destruction. It is said they 
were not aware of a settlement at Big Bottom 
until they came in sight of it, on the opposite shore 
of the river, one afternoon. From a high hill op- 
posite the garrison they obtained a view of all 
that part of the bottom, and could see how the 
men were occupied, and what was going on about 
the block-house. Having reconnoitered the situ- 
ation, they crossed the river on the ice just at twi- 
light and divided their men into two parties, the 
larger one of which was to attack the block-house, 
and the smaller one to make prisoners of the few 
men living in Choate's cabin without giving the 
alarm to those below. The plan was skillfully 
arranged and promptly executed. As the party 
cautiously approached the cabin, they found the 
inmates at supper. Some of the Indians entered, 
while others stood without by the door and ad- 
dressed the men in a friendly manner, who, sus- 
pecting no harm, offered them food, of which they 
partook. Looking about the room, the Indians 
espied some leather thongs and pieces of cord that 
had been used in packing venison, and then 



THE VALLEY OF THE MUSKINGUM. 37 

quickly seizing the white men by the arms, told 
them they were prisoners. Finding it useless to 
resist, the Indians being more numerous, they sub- 
mitted to their fate in silence. 

While this was transacting, the other party had 
reached the block-house unobserved. The door 
was thrown open by a stout Mohawk, who stepped 
in and stood by the door to keep it open, while his 
companions without shot down those around the 
fire. A man by the name of Zebulon Throop, from 
Massachusetts, was frying meat, and fell dead by 
the fire, and several others fell at this discharge. 
The Indians then rushed in and killed with the 
tomahawk all who were left. No resistance seems 
to have been offered by any of the men, so sud- 
den and unexpected was the attack; but a stout, 
backwoods, Virginia woman, the wife of Isaac 
Meeks, who was employed as a hunter, seized an 
axe and made a blow at the head of the Indian 
who opened the door. A slight turn of the head 
saved his skull, and the axe passed down through 
his cheek into the shoulder, leaving a huge gash 
that severed nearly half his face. The woman 
was instantly killed by the tomahawk of one of 
Ihis companions. This was the only injury re- 
ceived by the Indians. While the slaughter was 
going on, John Stacy, a young man in the prime 
of life, the son of Col. William Stacy, sprang up 
the stairway and out upon the roof; while his 

brother Philip, a lad of sixteen years, secreted 



38 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

himself under some bedding in a corner of the 
room. The Indians soon discovered the former, 
and shot him while he was in the act of begging 
them, for God's sake, to spare his life, saying that 
he was the only one left. 

This was heard by the Bullards, who, alarmed 
by the tiring at the block-house, had run out of 
their cabin to see what was the matter. Discov- 
ering the Indians around the house, they sprang 
back into their hut, seized their rifles and amuni- 
tion, and, closing the door after them, ran into the 
woods in a direction concealed by the cabin from 
the view of the Indians. They had barely escaped 
when they heard their door, which was made of 
thin clapboards, burst open by the Indians, who 
did not pursue them, as there was a good fire 
burning, and food for supper was smoking hot on 
the table. After the slaughter was over and the 
scalps secured (one of the most important acts in 
the warfare of the American savages), they pro- 
ceeded to collect the plunder, in removing which 
the lad, Philip Stacy, was discovered. Toma- 
hawks were instantly raised to dispatch him, 
when he threw himself at the feet of one of the 
leading warriors, begging protection. The sav- 
age took compassion on his youth, or else his re- 
venge was glutted with the slaughter already 
made, and interposing his authority saved the 
boy's life. After removing everything valuable, 
they tore up the floor, piled it on the dead bodies 



THE VALLEY OF THE MUSKINGUM. 39 

and set it on fire, thinking to destroy the block- 
house with the carcasses of their enemies. The 
building being made of green beech logs, the fires 
only consumed the floors and roof, leaving the 
walls still standing when visited the next day by 
the whites. 

There were twelve persons killed in this attack, 
viz.: John Stacy, Ezra Putnam, son of Major Put- 
nam, of Marietta; John Camp and Zebulon Throop 
— these men were from Massachusetts; Jonathan 
Farewell and James Couch, from New Hampshire; 
William James, from Connecticut; Joseph Clark, 
Phode Island; Isaac Meeks, his wife and two chil- 
dren, from Virginia. 

After this the Indians bent their steps toward 
the Wolf Creek Mills; but finding the people there 
awake and on the lookout, prepared for an attack, 
they did nothing more than reconnoitre the place 
and made their retreat at early dawn, to the great 
relief of the inhabitants. The number of Indians 
who came over from Big Bottom was never known. 

The next clay Captain Rogers led a party of men 
over to Big Bottom. It was a melancholy sight 
to the poor borderers, who knew not how soon a 
similar fate might befall themselves. The action 
of the fire, although it did not consume, had so 
blackened and disfigured the dead that few of 
them could be recognized. The body of Ezra Put- 
nam was known by a pewter plate that lay under 
him. His mother's name was on the bottom of 



40 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

the plate, to which a part of the cake he had been 
baking at the fire still adhered. William James 
was recognized by his great size, he being six feet 
four inches in height, and stoutly built. He had 
a piece of bread clenched in his right hand, and 
was probably in the act of eating, with his back 
to the door, when the fatal rifle shot took effect. 
As the ground was frozen outside, a hole was dug 
within the walls of the house, and the bodies con- 
signed to one grave. No further attempt was 
made at a settlement here until after the peace, 
in 1795. 

Midway in the valley lie the twin villages of 
McConnelsville and Malta, connected by a covered 
wooden bridge, and walled in by tree-crowned 
hills. The country around about them is quaint 
and delightful. 

The most notable natural curiosity on the whole 
river is the Devil's Tea Table, situated on the east 
side of the stream, three miles above McConnels- 
ville. It stands on the bald top of a great hill, 
and is a landmark for miles up and down the river. 
From it the ground slopes rapidly in all directions, 
giving it imposing prominence. It consists of a 
quadrangular or diamond-shaped table of sand- 
stone, huge in size, and supported by a slender 
base or stem of shale. Its dimensions are about 
as follows: height, 25 feet; length, 33 feet; and 
width, 20 feet. It is estimated that the table 
alone weighs over 300 tons. The base is about 



THE VALLEY OF THE MUSKINGUM. 41 

40 feet in circumference, and seems all too frail 
to support its cumbrous load. The ground in the 
vicinity is strewn with fragments of shale that 
have crumbled from the base in times past. From 
whatever side the rock is viewed, it appears to 
lean in that direction; and the timid observer 
standing near it feels in danger of instant de- 
struction. 

The origin of the name, "Devil's Tea Table," can 
not be ascertained. As early as 1800 chance trav- 
elers in the valley knew it by this name, which 
is probably derived from the fact that the Indians 
held the place and rock in superstitious awe, con- 
sidering it the abode of evil spirits. 

Several attempts have been made to overthrow 
the gigantic stone table. In 1820 several keel- 
boatmen made the effort, and many persons gath- 
ered to witness the fall. The forms of the boat- 
men have long since crumbled to mother dust, but 
the sturdy stone still resists the leveling hand of 
time. 

Persons who saw the rock a half century ago 
say that it looked as much like falling then as it 
does today. Its equilibrium is perfect, and this 
alone retains it in position. 

Many theories have been advanced to account 
for this curious formation, but undoubtedly its 
real origin is as follows: It was a part of the 
ledge of massive rocks that formed the crest of 
the hill w T hen the surrounding land was at a 



42 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

higher level than at present. The ceaseless ac- 
tion of frost, wind and water crumbled and dis- 
solved the sandstone; the underlying stratum of 
shale next yielded, until this great sentinel stood 
alone. 

As many as twenty-five or thirty persons have 
congregated on the table at one time; and the 
older inhabitants occasionally danced cotillions 
upon its level top. Of late years, however, it has 
assumed a more decrepit and tottering appear- 
ance, and only the boldest venture to mount to its 
dizzy summit. Recent observers claim that they 
have felt distinct vibrations of the mass when 
standing upon it. If this be true it will not long- 
retain its present poise. 

Many are the legends connected with the rock, 
but no legend can add to the picturesque weird- 
ness of the table itself. It has kept its watch 
while nations have risen from obscurity, and gone 
down into eternal darkness! 

A monster rock! Firm-poised it stands 
Upon a base of crumbling shale; 

'Twas shaped by Satan's cunning hands 
In ages past — so runs the tale — 
And served hell's demons, great and small, 
As table to their banquet hall. 
Though countless years have rolled away, 
The Devil's table stands to-day 
As firm as when, with hellish glee, 
The black imps held their revelry. 

Beyond the blue Muskingum's bed 
It rears its gray and wrinkled head: 



THE VALLEY OF THE MUSKINGUM. 43 

Though aged, still erect, sublime, 
It gazes on the march of time, 
And towers above the verdant sod, 
A monument to nature's God. 
When years on years have hurried past, 
Until God's dial marks the last, 
Oh may the grim old rock still keep 
Its vigil on the stony steep! 



44 JEREMIAH 31. B USK. 



CHAPTER IV. 
PIONEER DAYS IN THE VALLEY. 

It was in this Valley of the Muskingum, near 
the head waters of one of its main tributaries, 
Wolf Creek, that Daniel Rusk, the son of James, 
and the father of Jeremiah M. Rusk, located, 
nearly seventy-five years ago; and here he carved 
out of what was then primeval wilderness a home 
for his family. He acquired a competence, and 
took so great interest in the general affairs of the 
community that even to this day he is remembered 
as one of the few who assisted largely in the build- 
ing up of the stalwart civilization which has char- 
acterized the Valley from the time of its first set- 
tlement. 

During the first fifteen years of this century the 
great thoroughfare between Kentucky, Indiana 
and the Eastern States passed through Zanesville, 
and along the road the emigrants from the more 
thickly settled East traveled, incidentally afford- 
ing occupation to some hundreds of tavern keep- 
ers, and consuming all the corn raised in many 
miles to the north and south. Over this highway, 



PIONEER DA YS IN THE VALLEY. 45 

every spring and autumn, goods purchased at 
Pittsburg were wagoned to their final destina- 
tions, and along it passed groups of merchants, 
who always traveled by easy stages, accompanied 
by led horses, some laden with Spanish dollars. 
Usually these merchants banded themselves to- 
gether for mutual protection, and were well armed 
with dirks and pistols. Goods which were not 
wagoned were sent through from Pittsburg to 
Zanesville by flat-boats or keel-boats, and it was 
while acting as a hand on a keel-boat that Daniel 
Busk first became acquainted with the beauties of 
the Muskingum Valley. This was in 1809, when 
Zanesville was only a village. He attended a corn- 
husking near Zanesville, and was the envied guest 
of the evening, being the fortunate finder of the 
first red ear, which entitled him to the privilege 
of a kiss from the damsel he considered the fairest 
of all present, and to her hand in the opening 
dance. 

Greatly impressed by what he had seen on this, 
his first visit to the Valley, Daniel Rusk returned 
to the home of his parents, near Pittsburg, and 
urged them to change their abode, but failed to 
enamor them with this idea. To their minds Ohio 
was the far, far West, a country too remote from 
civilization, and one in which the dog and gun 
were of too great importance. The young man's 
ardor was thus for a time restrained, but not for 
long. His mother's sister had married a man 



46 JEBEMIu 1 ir M. I? USK. 

named Poe, whose Celtic family had come down 
the centuries side by side with the Rusks (or 
Eoux), the original name being De la Poe. Edgar 
Allan Poe belonged to this family. Two of Dan- 
iel's cousins, Andrew and Adam Poe, were noted 
pioneers, whose names had long been household 
words throughout Pennsylvania, Virginia and 
Ohio for the qualities of courage and piety. 
They, together with Lewis Whetzel, were among 
the most renowned "Indian fighters" of those days, 
and we think that in the story of a life beginning 
shortly after their time, it will not be out of place 
to insert an extract from Doddridge's Notes, nar- 
rating one conspicuous deed of their valor: 

"In the summer of 1782 a party of seven Wyan- 
dots made an incursion into a settlement some 
distance below Fort Pitt, and several miles from 
the Ohio river. Here, finding an old man alone in 
a cabin, they killed him, packed up what plunder 
they could find, and commenced their retreat. 
Among their party was a celebrated Wyandot 
chief, who, in addition to his fame as a warrior 
and a counsellor, was, as to his size and strength, 
a real giant. 

"The news of the visit of the Indians soon 
spread through the neighborhood, and a party of 
eight good riflemen was collected in a few hours 
for the purpose of pursuing the Indians. In this 
party were two brothers named Adam and An- 



PIONEER DAYS IN THE VALLEY. 47 

drew Poe. They were both famous for courage, 
size and activity. 

"This little party commenced the pursuit of the 
Indians, with a determination, if possible, not to 
suffer them to escape, as they usually did on such 
occasions, by ma kino- a speedy flight to the river, 
crossing it, and then dividing into small parties, 
to meet at a distant point in a given time, 

"The pursuit was continued the greater part of 
the night after the Indians had done the mischief. 
In the morning the party found themselves on the 
trail of the Indians, which led to the river. When 
arrived within a little distance of the river, An- 
drew Poe, fearing an ambuscade, left the party, 
which followed directly on the trail, to creep 
along the brink of the river bank, under cover of 
the weeds and bushes, and fall on the rear of the 
Indians should he find them in ambuscade. He 
had not gone far before he saw the Indian rafts at 
the water's edge. Not seeing any Indians he 
stepped softly down the bank, with his rifle 
cocked. When about halfway down he discov- 
ered the large Wyandot chief and a small In- 
dian within a few steps of him. They were stand- 
ing with their guns cocked, and looking in the 
direction of our party, who by this time had gone 
some distance lower down the bottom. Poe took 
aim at the large chief, but his rifle missed fire. 
The Indians, hearing the snap of the gun-lock, in- 
stantly turned round and discovered Poe, who, be- 



48 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

ing too near them to retreat, dropped his gun and 
sprang from the bank upon them, and seizing the 
large Indian by the cloths on his breast, and at 
the same time embracing the neck of the small 
one, threw them both down on the ground, him- 
self being uppermost. The small Indian soon ex- 
tricated himself, ran to the raft, got his toma- 
hawk and attempted to dispatch Poe, whom the 
large Indian held fast in his arms, the better to 
enable his fellow to effect his purpose. Poe, how- 
ever, so well watched the motions of the Indian, 
that when in the act of aiming a blow at his 
head, by a vigorous and well-directed kick he 
staggered the savage and knocked the tomahawk 
out of his hand. This failure on the part of the 
small Indian was reproved by an exclamation of 
contempt from the large one. 

"In a moment the Indian caught up his toma- 
hawk again, and approached more cautiously, 
brandishing the weapon and making a number of 
feigned blows, in defiance and derision. Poe, 
however, still on his guard, averted the real blow 
from his head by throwing up his arm and receiv- 
ing it on his wrist, in which he was severely 
wounded, but not so as to lose entirely the use of 
his hand. 

"In this perilous moment Poe, by a violent ef- 
fort, broke loose from the Indian, snatched up one 
of their guns, and shot the small Indian through 



PIONEER DAYS IN THE VALLEY. 49 

the breast as he ran up the third time to toma- 
hawk him. 

"The large Indian was now on his feet, and 
grasping Poe by a shoulder and leg, threw him 
down on the bank. Poe instantly disengaged 
himself and arose. The Indian seized him again 
and a new struggle ensued, which, owing to the 
slippery state of the bank, ended in the fall of 
both combatants into the water. 

"In this situation it was the object of each to 
drown the other. Their efforts to effect their pur- 
pose were continued for some time with alternate 
success, sometimes one being under the water and 
sometimes the other. Poe at length seized the 
tuft of hair on the scalp of the Indian, by which 
he held his head under until he supposed him 
drowned. 

"Relaxing his hold too soon, Poe instantly 
found his gigantic antagonist on his feet again, 
and ready for another combat. In this they were 
carried into the water beyond their depth, and 
were compelled to loose their hold on each other 
and swim for mutual safety. Both sought the 
shore to seize a gun and end the contest. The 
Indian, being the better swimmer, reached the 
land first. Poe, seeing this, immediately turned 
back into the water to escape being shot, by div- 
ing. Fortunately the Indian caught up the rifle 
with which Poe had killed the other warrior. At 
4 



50 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

this juncture Adam Poe, missing his brother from 
the party, and supposing from the report of the 
gun that he was either killed or engaged in con- 
flict with the Indians, hastened to the spot. See- 
ing him, Andrew called out to him to kill the big 
Indian on shore, but Adam's gun, like that of the 
Indian, was empty. The contest was now be- 
tween the white man and the Indian as to which 
should load and fire first. Very fortunately for 
Poe, the Indian in loading drew the ramrod from 
the thimbles of the gun stock with so much vio- 
lence that it slipped out of his hand; but he 
quickly caught it up and rammed down his bul- 
let. This little delay, however, gave Poe the ad- 
vantage. He shot the Indian as he was raising 
his gun. 

"As soon as Adam had shot the Indian he 
jumped into the river to assist his wounded 
brother to shore; but Andrew, thinking more of 
the honor of carrying the big Indian home as a 
trophy of victory than of his own safety, urged 
Adam to go back and prevent the struggling sav- 
age from rolling himself into the river and es- 
caping. Adam's solicitude for the life of his 
brother prevented him from complying with this 
request. 

"In the meantime the Indian, jealous of the 
honor of his scalp, even in the agonies of death 
succeeded in reaching the river and getting into 
the current, so that his body was never obtained. 



PIONEER DA YS IN THE VALLEY. 51 

"An unfortunate occurrence took place during 
this conflict. Just as Adam arrived at the top of 
the bank for the relief of his brother, one of the 
party who had followed close behind him, seeing 
Andrew in the river, and mistaking him for a 
wounded Indian, shot at him and wounded him 
in the shoulder. He, however, recovered from his 
wounds. 

"During the contest between Andrew Poe and 
the Indians the party had overtaken the remain- 
ing six of them. A desperate conflict 'ensued, in 
which five of the Indians were killed. Our loss 
was three men killed, and Adam Poe severely 
wounded. 

"Thus ended this Spartan conflict, with the loss 
of three valued men on our part, and with that of 
the whole of the Indian party, with the exception 
of one warrior. Never on any occasion was there 
a greater display of desperate bravery. 

"The fatal issue of this little campaign on the 
side of the Indians occasioned universal mourning 
among the Wyandot nation. The big Indian, with 
his four brothers, all of whom were killed at the 
same place, were among the most distinguished 
chiefs and warriors of their nation. 

"The big Indian was magnanimous as well as 
brave. He, more than any other individual, con- 
tributed by his example and influence to the good 
character of the Wyandots for lenity toward their 
prisoners. He would not suffer them to be killed 



52 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

or ill treated. This mercy to captives was an hon- 
orable distinction in the character of the Wyan- 
dots, and was well understood by our first settlers, 
who, in case of captivity, thought it a fortunate 
circumstance to fall into their hands." 

The following addition to the above story, taken 
from Henry Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio 
(1854), will be of interest: 

"Those of today can scarcely realize the inten- 
sity of delight with which the tales then current, 
narrating the deeds of prowess and of magnanim- 
ity, both of the whites and the Indians, were re- 
counted by the early settlers. Time and again 
they would meet at each other's homes, and 
eagerly listen to these stories of adventure, and 
by this means not a little of the courage, patriot- 
ism and manliness of their children and their chil- 
dren's children was thus instilled. The story of 
the affair above given [which Mr. Howe quotes. — 
Ed.] would hardly be complete without its sequel, 
in which the brighter side of the Indian character 
is revealed, and which may serve to indicate the 
softening influence of Christianity upon these sav- 
age people. 

"After the conflict of Poe with the Indians the 
Wyandots determined on revenge. Poe then lived 
on the west side of the Ohio river, at the mouth of 
Little Yellow creek. Rohn-yen-ness, a christian 
Indian, was chosen as a proper person to murder 
him and then make his own escape. He went to 






PIONEER DAYS IN THE VALLEY. 53 

Poe's house, and was met with great friendship. 
Poe not having any suspicion of his design, the 
best in the house was furnished him. When the 
time to retire for sleep came, Poe made a pallet on 
the floor for his Indian guest. He and his wife 
went to bed in the same room. Eohn-yen-ness said 
they both soon fell asleep. There being no person 
about the house but some children, this afforded 
the Indian a fair opportunity to have executed 
his purpose; but the kindness they had both 
shown him worked in his mind. He asked him- 
self how he could get up and kill even an enemy 
that had taken him in and treated him so well — 
so much like a brother. The more he thought 
about it the worse he felt; but still, on the other 
hand, he was sent by his nation to avenge the 
death of two of its most valued warriors; and 
their ghosts would not be appeased until the blood 
of Poe was shed. There, he said, he lay in this 
conflict of mind until about midnight. The duty 
he owed to his nation and to the spirits of his de- 
parted friends aroused him. He seized his knife 
and tomahawk, and crept to the bedside of his 
sleeping host. Again the kindness he had re- 
ceived from Poe stared him in the face; and he 
said to himself that it was mean, that it was un- 
worthy the character of an Indian warrior, to kill 
even an enemy who had so kindly treated him. He 
went back to his pallet and slept until morning. 
"His kind host loaded him with blessings, and 



54 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

told him that they were once enemies, but now 
they had buried the hatchet and were brothers, 
and hoped they would always be so. Rohn-yen- 
ness, overwhelmed with a sense of the generous 
treatment he had received from his once powerful 
enemy, but now his kind friend, left him to join 
his party. 

"He said the more he reflected on what he had 
done and the course he had pursued, the more he 
was convinced that he had done right. This once 
revengeful savage warrior was overcome by the 
kindness of an evening, and all his plans frus- 
trated. 

"This man became one of the most pious and 
devoted of the Indian converts. Although a chief, 
he was as humble as a child. He used his steady 
influence against the traders and their firewater." 

The tomahawk with which the Indian struck 
Andrew Poe, as told in the story above, remains 
in the possession of the Poe family, and it may 
here be mentioned that the sword worn and used 
in the revolutionary war by James Kusk is now 
owned by the family of his illustrious descendant. 

Daniel Rusk, upon whom the tales of his cous- 
ins' bravery had made a profound impression, 
visited them at their home in Columbiana County, 
Ohio, and this was one of the most important 
events in his life, for it was at that time, noting 
their firm faith in the soul's immortality, and their 
strict adherence to the tenets of the most severe 



PIONEER DAYS IN THE VALLEY. 55 

Presbyterian sect, that his heart was turned to 
the contemplation of the life beyond this world. 
Accepting their faith as his own, he united with 
the church and devoted himself to its interests. 

It is scarcely necessary to remind the reader 
that for a year or more preceding the war of 1812, 
a condition existed which invited violence, es- 
pecially toward the weaker settlements in the 
Northwest Territory, which were frequently 
marked as the scenes of devastation perpetrated 
by Indians, but instigated by the British govern- 
ment. The history of those times is still familiar, 
and need not be again detailed here. All was un- 
settled; immigration was checked, and upon the 
outbreak of the war was wholly suspended for a 
year or two. But no sooner had the war ended 
than the tide of home-seekers, so stemmed and 
stayed for a time, moved forward — westward — in 
a mighty wave. Very shortly after the good news 
of peace which followed the battle of New Or- 
leans, Daniel Rusk, now a man of family, bur- 
dened a pack-horse with most of his earthly pos- 
sessions, shouldered his rifle, led another horse 
bearing his wife and two children, and made his 
way to the locality now known as Clayton Town- 
ship, Perry County, Ohio, near the head waters of 
the Hocking. Here he erected a log cabin, and a 
little later, in 1815, returned to Pittsburg, 
whence he brought back the families of his own 
and his wife's fathers, who then made their homes 



56 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

near that of their enterprising and courageous 
son. Their bones repose in the rural graveyards 
of that vicinity. The grandfather of Jeremiah M. 
Rusk was the first to be buried in the graveyard 
of Unity Presbyterian Church, in the northeastern 
part of Perry County. 

In 1817 there happened an event which was 
then of really great importance, though in our 
own times it would hardly be more than a nine- 
days' wonder. The President of the United States 
made a tour through Maryland, Pennsylvania, 
Ohio, New Jersey, New York and the New Eng- 
land States. He was everywhere received with 
demonstrations of loyal attachment, the out- 
growth of the reverence in which men held their 
high officials in those days. He was to stop at 
Zanesville, and the day of his coming was looked 
forward to as a great day for that section of Ohio. 
Elaborate preparations were made for his recep- 
tion. The people came from very many miles 
around in all directions. Hundreds camped out 
over night, and perhaps no Eastern potentate was 
ever accorded a more enthusiastic show of devo- 
tion than was given to President Monroe at this 
time. Among those who attended the affair, to 
pay respects to their ruler, as a matter of duty, 
was Daniel Rusk, and to the day of his death he 
cherished with pride his recollection of the trip. 
The address of welcome, prepared by a joint com- 



PI ONE Eli DAYS IN THE VALLEY. 57 

mittee of the citizens of Zanesville and Putnam, 
was as follows: 

"To James Monroe, 

President of the United States. 
"Sir: The citizens of Zanesville and Putnam, 
through this committee, embrace with sincere 
pleasure the occasion of tendering to you their 
best wishes, and a cordial welcome on your safe 
arrival at this place. 

"Sensible that we have little to offer which can 
be interesting to our Chief Magistrate, save the 
spontaneous affection and high regard which a 
free, independent and republican people entertain 
for the distinguished citizen whom they have vol- 
untarily chosen to preside over the councils of this 
nation, and whose administration has commenced 
under the most favorable auspices, we forbear to 
fatigue your attention by entering into a detail of 
the various and important views necessarily con- 
nected with the occasion and the time. 

"We, however, congratulate you on the fortun- 
ate circumstances that have combined to place the 
American Republic in a more exalted station 
among the nations of the earth, at the commence- 
ment of your administration, than at any former 
period during the administrations of your distin- 
guished predecessors. 

"Our confidence in your wisdom and fidelity to 
discharge the high duties of Chief Magistrate of 



58 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

a nation of freemen is founded not only in the zeal 
and ability with which you have supported and 
defended the best interests of the American na- 
tion, during a long life of official labor, but, in the 
motives that have induced your present tour, in 
which we discover the most conclusive evidence of 
your intention to qualify yourself in an eminent 
degree to watch over the destinies of a great, free, 
and happy people; and we trust that the benefits 
to be derived from a practical view of the different 
sections of the union will amply compensate the 
sacrifice of personal ease, through the additional 
knowledge acquired of the means necessary to pro- 
mote the public welfare. 

"The novel spectacle of beholding the First 
Magistrate of a great people, traversing an ex- 
tensive empire in pursuit of such information as 
will best enable him to discharge the important 
duties incident to his station, affords the strongest 
assurances of his entire devotion to the best inter- 
ests of his country, and excites in the minds of 
his constituents the most agreeable sensations; 
and amongst the incidents which will be recol- 
lected with pride and pleasure by the inhabitants 
of our villages, none will leave a stronger or more 
agreeable impression than the cordial visit of 
their Chief Magistrate and his distinguished suite. 

"The western people, ever faithful to the prin- 
ciples of liberty and the integrity of the Union, 
will generally rejoice in the presence of their Chief 



PIONEER DAYS IN THE VALLEY. 59 

Magistrate, whose anxiety for the public weal has 
brought him among them. And though our coun- 
try at present exhibits but a faint view of culti- 
vation and refinement, we trust our internal re- 
sources and natural advantages, with a disposi- 
tion further to improve them by industry and art, 
will entitle us to a full share of the patronage and 
fostering care of the executive government. 

"Sincerely hoping that you may enjoy health 
and comfort, and a safe return (after the accom- 
plishment of your further views) to the seat of the 
general government, and the society of your fam- 
ily and friends, is the united wish of all our hearts. 

"In behalf of the Committee, 

"D. Chambers, Chairman." 

To this address the President made an extem- 
poraneous reply of considerable length. The fol- 
lowing sketch, taken from memory, embraces its 
leading points: 

He commenced by expressing his high sense of 
the kind attention on the part of the citizens of 
Zanesville and Putnam, and said that the splendid 
etiquette of courts was not necessary to evince 
attachment; that the unaffected manner in which 
he had been received comported with his princi- 
ples and habits of plainness, and was most grate- 
ful to his feelings. 

He was gratified to find that the objects of his 
tour were so well understood and appreciated by 



(30 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

his fellow citizens. To provide for the public de- 
fense was the duty of the Chief Magistrate, and 
for this purpose he had traversed the United 
States from the eastern extremity to Detroit, and 
had found a people, free, united, and resolved to 
maintain and defend their republican govern- 
ment. The auspicious circumstances under which 
he had commenced his executive duties were the 
result of efficient resistance made to foreign ag- 
gression. We were now, he observed, in a state 
of peace; but however desirous for its continu- 
ance, all history, and especially the history of our 
own country, proved that we could not always 
avoid war. Should this evil again assail us, it 
was hoped w r e should be found prepared; but in 
any event, the same zeal and courage of a free peo- 
ple which had already been displayed could again 
be brought into action. For what was it that 
had lately resisted effectually the powerful at- 
tacks of a ruthless foe, who desolated our coast, 
and even let loose upon us the savages of the for- 
est? Was it not our army, our navy, and our 
brave militia and volunteers — men to whom the 
use of arms was imperfectly known before the oc- 
casion which demanded their employment? He 
also noticed in terms of approbation the conduct 
of the people of the Western States during the re- 
cently ended contest with Great Britain. 

He remarked that as Chief Magistrate of the 
mil ion he was always happy to meet his fellow 



PIONEER DAYS IN THE VALLEY. 61 

citizens; but in his intercourse with them, while 
supporting the dignity of his station, he could 
never forget that he was also a citizen; that in his 
progress through the State of Ohio he perceived 
with admiration and delight the improvements 
made by citizens from other States, many of 
whom, then present, must have found this coun- 
try in a rude, uncultivated condition; that he con- 
templated with pleasure such an augmentation 
of its strength; that in a state of peace it is neces- 
sary to prepare for war; for who amongst us could 
say how soon we might again be called upon to 
support by force of arms the principles of our gov- 
ernment and the interests of the people? In the 
event of another war he should do his duty, and 
should rely on the cooperation of his fellow citi- 
zens in doing theirs. 

If apology is necessary for the circumstantiality 
with which this episode in the life of Daniel Rusk 
has been introduced, it may be said that in his 
lifetime the power of the public press was only in 
its infancy. Only a very few in the great throng 
that gathered at Zanesville to look upon their 
President, and to listen to his words, had access 
to a newspaper. The sterling Americanism of 
Mr. Monroe's remarks and those of the reception 
committee was to all who heard them a treasure 
of the memory, and the man who had been at 
Zanesville on that day, and could repeat the 



62 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

thoughts there expressed, had become an educator 
of the people. He was visited by all of his less 
fortunate neighbors, eager to hear his account; 
and from the simple story that he had to tell he 
was able to derive lessons which assisted him in 
the inspiration of his own family, and solemn 
truths found lodgment in minds unreachable by 
our more modern agencies. 



BIRTHPLACE AND EARLY TRAINING. 63 



CHAPTER V. 

BIRTHPLACE AND EARLY TRAINING OF JEREMIAH 
M. RUSK. 

Iii 1829 the wave of settlement had forced itself 
into the Valley of the Muskingum, and Daniel 
Rusk, then a man of forty-three, having by that 
time accumulated a fair share of this world's 
goods, purchased about four hundred acres in the 
town of Deerfield, Morgan County, adjoining the 
Perry County line, and entered energetically upon 
the work which was to constitute the last chap- 
ters of his life. He built what was then consid- 
ered a more than ordinary dwelling for a pioneer, 
a double log-cabin, so-called, consisting of two 
cabins, with a roofed space of eight or ten feet 
between them. In this cabin, on the 17th day of 
June, 1830, Jeremiah McLain Rusk was born. 

Daniel cleared his land and planted one of the 
most extensive orchards in all that section of the 
country. Every year, in the fruit season, the Rusk 
place was visited by neighbors for miles around, 
to whom surprising quantities of apples, peaches, 
cherries and plums were given away, there being 



64 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

no sale for "green" fruit then, and canning being 
at that time unknown. 

His new home fairly established, General Rusk's 
father engaged in the pursuit of what was then 
known as "wagoning" — neighborhood transporta- 
tion, lie and one John Milligan shared the entire 
express business of the district, conveying to mar- 
ket in great Pennsylvania wagons, with a capacity 
of over three tons, and hauled by teams of five or 
six horses, the products of the farm, and bringing 
back from Zanesville, on the Muskingum, from 
Marietta, where that river joins the Ohio, and 
from other points, whatever was required for 
home use and could not be home-made. 

Daniel Rusk was a thoughtful, practical man, 
who did his own thinking, and was also called 
upon to act as a counsellor throughout the neigh- 
borhood in which he lived. He was a promoter of 
the public schools, which in Ohio superseded the 
"subscription" schools about the year 1825. He 
gave aid in fostering debating societies, in that 
day the people's oratorical universities. He was 
a deacon in the church. He admired and sup- 
ported General Jackson, but the arbitrary acts of 
his administration as President, the hard times 
that followed, and the agitation of the slavery 
question, caused him to reconsider his political 
belief, and in 1840, at the time of the "Log-cabin" 
campaign of William Henry Harrison, he joined 



BIRTHPLACE AND EARLY TRAINING. 65 

the ranks of the Whigs, to whom he contributed 
his support until the day of his death. 

He was a religious man of the old school. It 
is now but a few years to the time when no man 
living can say that he knew the piety peculiar to 
those days and the days preceding them. The de- 
votional exercises practiced in the Kusk and other 
households of that period are observed in no re- 
ligious community on earth today. 

The time for rising was long before dawn; the 
family were called together, the Bible read, and 
a prayer offered by the father ; and all in a solem- 
nity so profound that the smile of a child would 
interrupt it, and be regarded as a certain indica- 
tion of depravity. Seated at the table, no matter 
how humble the meal, all heads were bowed, and 
all united in a solemn ceremony. Following the 
day of hard toil came a night, the darkness of 
which, if the moon did not shine, was dispelled 
only in small degree by the imperfect lamps then 
used. A wooden or pewter dish was filled with 
lard, into which was dropped a rag tied to a but- 
ton or copper cent and lighted. As the time for 
rest drew near all conversation in regard to secu- 
lar matters ceased, and the last hour before re- 
tiring was given up to meditation. No other than 
religious subjects might be spoken of during this 
time. At the awakening and upon the retiring 
there was ever present that one great thought — 
5 



66 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

What is the chief end of man; what his duty to 
his God, and how can this duty be performed most 
acceptably in His sight? 

Fast days were observed, and church days. It 
was many miles from the Rusk homestead to the 
Presbyterian church, but the very inconvenience 
and discomfort of the weary travel was regarded 
as a blessing by those privileged to make the sac- 
rifice. 

Above all other days came the Sabbath — the 
Lord's Day. It began at dusk on Saturday. All 
secular labor had to be completed before sundown, 
including the cooking of the morrow's food, and 
with the falling of the evening shades came such 
a withdrawal of the mind from all affairs of earth, 
and such a contemplation of the higher life as is 
not practiced now. 

On the Sabbath morning there was no exception 
to the rule of early rising, following which from 
one to three hours were spent in the silent perusal 
of religious works and study of the catechism, the 
reading of the Bible, and family worship. Then 
came the morning meal, cold from the day before, 
and after this the study and the meditation were 
resumed. There was no dinner. As late as three 
or four o'clock the elder children were sometimes 
permitted to take the younger ones, always walk- 
ing with regulated, Puritanical mien and step, to 
visit the burying ground on the farm or in the 
churchyard, if that were near. In the evening a 



BIRTHPLACE AND EARLY TRAINING. 67 

warm meal was enjoyed, and the family -were al- 
lowed to indulge in lighter conversation. 

At about the time of his removal to Morgan 
County the mind of Daniel Rusk became disturbed 
by reflections as to the example he was setting in 
the way of a hard, rigid, almost intolerant re- 
ligious life. Always an exemplary man, to whom 
those who knew him looked up for advice and di- 
rection, his sense of moral responsibility was far 
greater than it is in most men. To him religion, 
the proper devotion of man to God, was the upper- 
most thought and the grandest matter of fact. He 
often quoted the poet Young — 

' 'What, then, is unbelief? — 't is an exploit, 
A strenuous enterprise. To gain it, man 
Must burst through every bar of common sense, of common 

shame — 
Magnanimously wrong!" 

However, a certain liberality which was within 
him rose in protest against the chained belief 
which he had followed, and the faith to which he 
had held was shaken and unsettled by new ideas. 
More than now the various classes of Christians 
antagonized one another, and the struggle for con- 
verts was especially fierce in the newly-settled dis- 
tricts of our country. This is well known. It 
would be indecorous, as we think, to specify sects 
in this connection, and w 7 e shall not do so. A re- 
cent writer has said of one of these, as it appeared 
to him at that time, that as there were then very 



68 JEREMIAH M. B USE. 

few public entertainments, and religious meetings 
took the place of these for nearly all the people, 
things were carried to extremes, and devotional 
enthusiasm and extravagant experiences were so 
far cultivated, at the expense of propriety, that 
many made of their religion a mere dissipation. 
A certain sect, never numerically large, and now, 
as we think, extinct, or merged with another, suf- 
fered some little persecution for a time, and the 
spirit of fairness, so strong in the breast of Daniel 
Rusk, prompted him to assist them by the erection 
of a church building which he deeded to them for 
their use, primarily, with the condition that it 
might at any time be occupied by congregations 
of other sects when not required by the one he 
meant to especially benefit. This was a house of 
hewed logs, long since superseded by a neat frame 
structure. In the graveyard adjoining this church, 
the spot appropriately marked by their loving and 
dutiful son Jeremiah, the bodies of Daniel Rusk 
and the wife of his bosom lie buried. 



THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. 69 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. 

Through Morgan County passed the line of the 
"Underground Railroad," the route of transporta- 
tion from slavery to freedom. Of this mysterious 
means of travel others have written, and it will be 
written of hereafter; the exposure of its secrets is 
no task of ours. The Underground Railroad, so- 
called, was a system designed by haters of negro 
slavery for conducting its victims from the states 
in which that "peculiar institution" was legal into 
states where it was not, or into the Dominion of 
Canada. The organization of this system was al- 
most perfect. Its main line, the southern termi- 
nus of which was upon the west bank of the Ohio 
river, was the old Lancaster road, running through 
or near Chesterfield, Pennsville, Rosseau, Ring- 
gold, Morganville, Porterville, Deavertown, and 
onward, along the course of the Muskingum, into 
Putnam. The equipment of the railroad was com- 
plete; there were regular stations, switches and 
sidetracks, and a full roster of agents, conductors, 
telegraphers and other officials, all men of inflexi- 



70 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

ble integrity, fully appreciating their own rights 
and those of others, firm in purpose to maintain 
the former and accord the latter, at any cost. Of 
the many hundreds of fugitive slaves who were 
safely piloted through Morgan County a great 
number found their way across the farm of Dan- 
iel Busk, whose sons inherited his love of freedom. 
Every escape from bondage, every change from 
the condition of a chattel to that of a man, in- 
volved adventure. We may be pardoned for in- 
serting one brief story in illustration of what fre- 
quently happened in those days of the past, and 
can not have failed to exert influence upon the 
characters of the men then young: 

A caravan of sixteen negroes on the route from 
the Ohio to Putnam once produced as much if not 
more interest and excitement than would have 
been caused by four times the number in smaller 
bands. They came from near Parkersburg, Va., 
in the summer of 1842, to within a few miles of 
Pennsville, where they remained from Tuesday 
until Friday, when they left the station near 
James Cole's, with the intention of going to the 
river at a point near McConnelsville. After fol- 
lowing the road a short distance they heard the 
sound of horses' feet and knew they were pursued. 
Unobserved they secreted themselves in the woods 
and undergrowth, so near the road that one of the 
hunters who shot a squirrel which fell from a tree 
close to where the negroes were hiding, made no 






THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. 71 

search for it, being in pursuit of larger game, but 
passed on to Pennsville. After remaining several 
hours, and consulting with a few of those who 
were readily recognized as adepts, and who were 
always on the alert for business, the Virginians 
arranged the amount of consideration for effective 
service, and left for McConnelsville, with the un- 
derstanding that future discoveries should be re- 
ported to them. 

In the meantime the Underground officials were 
not idle; and in anticipation of the return of the 
Virginians and a search for the negroes before 
they could be removed to a distant locality, the 
idea presented itself that the silver glare might 
have rendered the skill to scent somewhat obtuse, 
and that a false trail would be readily followed. 
After dark, while the colored people were safe in 
Jehu Coulson's tobacco house, a company of thirty 
or forty men, with less than that number of horses, 
formed south of the town, and rode at a brisk trot 
in the direction of Isaac Clendenin's house, thus 
adding to the suspicion already existing that the 
negroes were there. Isaac was informed of the 
proceedings, and that the hunters would visit and 
attempt to search his house, and was advised to 
be prepared for them. During the excitement of 
this parade, one Joshua Wood noticed at Esquire 
Lent's office a number of persons, among whom 
was a man named Young, who for a small requit- 
tal would lend his mental and physical require- 



72 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

ments to the Virginians, and the sapient Joshua 
said in a secret manner to Mr. Lent, "What a sill\ 
man Isaac Clendenin is to harbor those slaves; 
these men will certainly search his house and find 
them; but don't say anything about it, and per- 
haps they may not go there." 

Young soon left, and in due time Joshua's pre- 
tended secret was divulged as he desired. About 
noon the hunters were on hand, accompanied by 
their employes and a number of citizens of the vi- 
cinity, as well prepared for shooting squirrels as 
were the Virginians. Arriving at the house, an 
immediate demand for the slaves was made. Isaac 
replied: 

"Friends, I have not thy slaves; they are not 
here." 

"But you have, d — n you! they axe here, and by 

we will have them. We intend to search 

your house." 

"Well, friends, I am a law-abiding man; has 
thee a search-warrant?" 

"No; but we intend to search." 

"Thee can not search my house without a war- 
rant. I know my rights, and there are those here 
who have not the conscientious scruples as to 
shedding blood that I have, and who are able and 
willing to defend themselves and others. Thee 
must have a warrant before thee can search." 

This argument was conclusive to the extent that 
the hunters, deciding discretion to be more effec- 



THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. 73 

tual than bravado, reluctantly accepted the alter- 
native, and sent three miles to procure a warrant. 
When it came, after dark, the Virginians, certain 
of success, deemed it advisable to wait for day- 
light; and in order to prevent a removal of their 
human goods, a guard was placed outside, while 
within there were a goodly number of "squirrel 
hunters." During the night considerable rain fell, 
which somewhat annoyed those upon the outside, 
who took shelter on the porch; but their occu- 
pancy was made briefer than the storm by a per- 
emptory request to leave, with which, under the 
circumstances, they deemed it advisable to com- 
ply. In the morning (Sunday), when the warrant 
was presented, the doors were opened and the 
search was made. Chagrined by the result and 
by the scoffs and jeers of the crowd, with angry 
retort they were proceeding to another building 
to continue the search, when they were stopped. 
"Thee has a warrant to search Isaac Clendenin's 
house, but that is my mother's house; thee has no 
warrant to search it, and thee shall not." This, 
accompanied with increased taunts aud jeers, so 
exasperated the men that one of them indiscreetly 
presented a pistol in a threatening manner. The 
dropping of rifles from the shoulders of the "squir- 
rel hunters" and the clicking of locks instantly 
followed, and this demonstrative argument was 
convincing. With the oozing of courage from the 



74 JEREMIAH M. RUSE. 

slave hunter's soul his pistol was placed in his 
pocket. 

About this time the Squire, re-examining the 
law, had ascertained that he had exceeded his au- 
thority, and when a messenger was sent for a sec- 
ond warrant he refused to issue it. Isaac, having 
effected the intended object, which was to detain 
the pursuers as long as should be necessary, gave 
them permission to search, but having become im- 
pressed with the idea that they were on a false 
trail, they made only a superficial search and 
quickly abandoned the premises. 

Among those anxiously interested to obtain a 
portion of the $3,000 reward were several of the 
younger denizens of McConnelsville. That night 
the negroes were taken to Eosseau, where they 
were placed in charge of William Corner and 
James Xulton. On the next night they were 
started for another station through a drenching 
rain. On the road one woman was found to be 
missing, and for the balance of the night the other 
fugitives were sheltered in George Parsons' barn. 
The lost one found her way to the residence of a 
man named Garrison McElfresh, and inquired the 
way to McConnelsville. He recognized her as a 
runaway, and told her to wait until he could put 
on his shoes; but she, suspecting that lie had an 
object in view other than pointing out the road, 
left before he completed his toilet, and got to the 
residence of Isaac Murphy, who, although an old 



THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. 75 

Virginian, gave the conductors notice of her 
whereabouts. The next station was at Thomas 
Byers', whose house had been searched on the pre- 
vious day. Thence they proceeded to Jacob Stan- 
bery's, where they remained until night. During 
the day the pursuers set guards west of Deacon 
Wright's and at Campbell's mill, to keep watch 
at the junction of the two roads, having been well 
posted as to the route by the same persons who 
were with them at Pennsville, and who occupied 
the position of watchmen. Among the guards 
was a pettifogger of the vicinity, who was confi- 
dent that the negroes were at Stanbery's. After 
dark he placed himself horizontally in a fence- 
corner, near the house, in order to verif} 7 the fact 
and report. Soon after he had taken position, 
and before he had gained any evidence in the case, 
one of the conductors rode up to the fence, at the 
point Avhere the fellow was engaged in his investi- 
gation, and by the aid of a pistol compelled him 
to remain there until the "train" left. 

Although the departure lightened the watcher's 
labors, the result of his work had to be reported in 
propria persona at Malta. lie had been admonished 
by his proximity to a clock in the house that the 
current of time had floated nearly to the "wee 
sma' hours," and his attitude for observation had 
enabled him to perceive that the curtain of night 
had a sable lining which obscured all his rela- 
tions with the starry sky; and additionally, in 



76 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

"summing up," be had become entirely satisfied 
during bis recumbency, and bis observations 
tbrougb the day, tbat tbere was a superabund- 
ance of moisture on tbe "Walker" line, which 
(Hobson's option) was tbe only one be could con- 
trol. But by it, with an occasional ditching and 
now and then a run off the track in rounding a 
curve, he was enabled to report at daylight. By 
that time the Underground train was well on the 
track, and the watchmen at Deacon Wright's and 
Campbell's mill were foiled, as the conductors 
took a branch track a short distance down Island 
Run, thence up to the bead of Brush Creek, and 
thence to the river, to a thick brushwood near the 
mouth of the Moxahala, where they were met by 
the train from Putnam. 

The original narrator of this story, whose sar- 
casm, it is hoped, may be forgiven, states tbat the 
§♦3,000 worth of negroes thus set free were the 
property of Messrs. Henderson and O'Neill, of 
Wood County, Virginia, and that in some of them 
a Zanesville man had an indirect interest. While 
en route for Putnam their owners were stopping 
in Zanesville, watching the bridge which the un- 
derground train would have to pass. But the 
bridge-keeper was in the service, and by tbe use 
of closed carriages tbe crossing was made with- 
out accident, and the train arrived at its terminus 
without misfortune. 



LIFE ON THE RUSK FARM. 77 



CHAPTER VII. 

LIFE ON THE RUSK FARM. 

Jane Faulkner Rusk, the mother of Jeremiah 
M. Rusk, has been merely mentioned. She was 
a woman of mark. In any age, in any country, 
her strength of character could not have failed to 
influence those around her. She is still referred 
to by the younger people of the neighborhoods in 
which she lived as "that wonderful woman." 
When her husband changed his religion their chil- 
dren followed him into the new belief, but she did 
not. The faith of her father and of her mother 
remained her own through four score years, and 
until her death the family maintained the severe 
observances of pious life of which we have spoken 
above. Her children loved and admired her, and 
their characters bore testimony to her goodness. 
Her death, which occurred at the age of 87, was 
widely lamented. Daniel Rusk died in 1846, of 
typhoid fever. 

Life on the Rusk farm, as described by Mrs. 
Jane Rusk Tomlinson, a sister of Jeremiah, by 
Doctor Daniel Rusk, a brother, and by others, was 



78 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

typical of farm life throughout that section of 
Ohio during the earlier half of the century. 

Those living within ten or fifteen miles of one 
another were called neighbors. On the forty 
miles of road between Athens and Deavertown, 
at the time when Daniel Rusk settled near the 
latter place, at Porterville, there stood but three 
houses. The country thereabout was all thickly 
wooded, and the rude roads cut out by the pio- 
neers were only of sufficient width to admit of 
the passage of wagons through the forest. Men 
had to help each other in those days. Unselfish- 
ness was necessary to existence, and generosity 
was inculcated as a cardinal virtue. 

The erection of a log-cabin required the work 
of many hands, and was participated in by men 
from a considerable distance around, who cheer- 
fully labored without price. The opprobrium vis- 
ited upon any lazy fellow who shirked his duty at 
such times was hard to bear. If it ever came to 
his turn to need like aid, his punishment was cer- 
tain. Humble in architecture as these comfort- 
able homes may now seem, their construction was 
quite an elaborate affair. In such a cabin, through 
a window covered with greased paper, serving the 
purposes of glass, many a great man first saw the 
light of day. 

A fatigue party of choppers and teamsters 
felled the trees, which were cut into proper 
lengths and hauled to the site selected for the 



LIFE ON THE B USK FARM. 79 

new dwelling. Especial care was exercised in 
the choice of the tree from which the clapboards 
for the roof were to be made. This had to be of 
straight grain, and from three to four feet in thick- 
ness. The boards were not planed or shaved. 
Puncheons for the floor were made by splitting 
trees of about eighteen inches in diameter, and 
cutting them to half the length of the cabin. Their 
faces were hewed with a broadax. Usually one 
day was given to the preparation of the materials, 
and the actual work of "raising" the cabin was 
done on the day following, when the neighbors 
gathered at a very early hour for the task. Some- 
times the foundation would be laid on the even- 
ing of the first day. Four "cornermen" were 
elected, their business being to notch and place 
the logs handed to them by the others. The posi- 
tion of cornerman was one of distinction, its du- 
ties demanding a high degree of skill. Only an 
experienced man could fill the place. After the 
laying of the floor and ground logs the other tim- 
bers were raised to the cornermen by means of 
handspikes and skidpoles. The doorway, about 
three feet wide, was made either by cutting 
through the logs already laid or by laying short 
logs on each side for a few rounds in height. 
Above the opening the logs were nearly always 
the full length of the house. The door was of 
"splits" or clapboards, hung upon wooden hinges, 
and fastened to wooden cleats by pins of the same 



80 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

material. Blacksmiths were few and far between, 
and very little, if any, iron work entered into the 
material of such a house. Small windows were 
cut through the walls. At one end an opening, 
wider than the door, was made for the chimney, 
which was built on the outside of the cabin. It 
was made of logs, with a back and jambs of stone. 
The fireplace was sometimes wide enough to ad- 
mit logs six or eight feet long. The framework 
of the roof was formed by small, straight poles 
laid about two and a half feet apart, and extend- 
ing from one gable to the other. Upon these the 
clapboards, of straight-grained oak, were placed, 
and secured in position by weight poles, laid 
lengthwise of the roof. The clapboards were split 
about five feet in length by means of a tool known 
as a "frow," a heavy, straight blade, fixed at a 
right angle with its handle, and driven by a mal- 
let. The cracks between the logs were chinked 
up with billets made from the heart pieces of the 
lumber from which the clapboards had been split, 
and were also daubed with mortar made from 
clay (lime was not then in use) until they were 
practically impervious to wind and rain; but this 
"chinking" had to be frequently renewed, as it 
could not withstand the elements for any great 
length of time. The cabin being finished, the 
ceremony of "house-warming" followed. This was 
a feast and a dance of a whole night's continu- 
ance, and was always greatly enjoyed. 

Household furniture was usually of the simplest 



LIFE ON THE RUSK FARM. 81 

character, and very little attention was paid to 
ornamentation of the home. Tables were gener- 
ally made of puncheons cleated together and rest- 
ing upon four posts, and stools and benches were 
commonly home-made and rude, as were the beds. 
The more well to do farmers, however, and among 
them Daniel Rusk, enjoyed bedsteads of a style 
then manufactured in Pennsylvania, built high 
before and behind, and still remembered as being 
very comfortable; but these have long since passed 
out of use. The Rusk girls decorated their walls 
with freshly ironed towels, and regarded pincush- 
ions of bright patchwork as finery of which to be 
proud. 

All clothing was of home manufacture, except 
perhaps the shoes. Nearly every farmer kept 
sheep and cultivated enough flax for the use of 
his family. In a family as large as that of Dan- 
iel Rusk the women folk had plenty of work to do. 
The flax had to be "hackled" and "scutched," the 
linen spun, the wool woven and dyed, and the 
garments cut, fitted and made up. Mrs. Tomlin- 
son (Jane Rusk) says that in one summer she, 
with her mother and sisters, would make as much 
as two hundred yards of linen, which was used 
for all under garments, for bed-ticking, sheets and 
pillow cases, table cloths and towels, as well as 
for the shirts, trousers and short coats of the men 
and boys, and complete outfits for the women and 
6 



82 JEREMIAH M. Ii USK. 

girls. For all these purposes the finer linen was 
taken. The coarser part of the flax was spun for 
mill sacks and covers for the market wagons. 
Thirty yards were required for the covering of a 
wagon. Even the sewing thread was homemade. 
They manufactured their own blankets. Wool 
commanded no price. It was taken to the card- 
ing mill, a certain portion deducted to pay for the 
carding operation, and the remainder returned in 
the form of rolls, from which the stuff was spun. 
The boys wore trousers of homespun linen and 
roundabouts of the same material in summer, and 
in winter they were dressed in homemade cassi- 
nette. In summer the girls wore calico for better 
dresses, and in winter homemade flannel. A com- 
mon article woven on the looms was linsey-wool- 
sey, of which the warp was linen and the filling 
woolen. 

In speaking of clothing, a garment then almost 
universally worn by boys and men, should be men- 
tioned. This was the "wamus," or hunting-shirt, 
a loose frock, opening before, and reaching below 
the knees. It was made wide enough to lap over 
a foot or more when belted, so as to form quite a 
capacious wallet, and it served this purpose. Ac- 
cording to the season it was provided with one, 
two, or even three large capes, and was usually 
fringed with raveled cloth of a color different from 
that of the shirt itself. 

There were such things as silk dresses and 



LIFE ON THE RUSK FARM. 83 

"store-clothes" of doeskin and broadcloth, but 
these were rarely seen. Very little jewelry of any 
kind was worn. The corset was happily unknown. 
While the diet of those days was certainly much 
simpler than at present, there was no cause for 
complaint in that regard. Appetites were better 
then, and the people lived well. There were no 
stoves. The baking was done in an oven of bricks 
or clay, outside of the house, or in a "Dutch oven," 
a shallow, cast-iron kettle with a cover, over and 
under which coals (of wood) were placed. The 
boiling kettle and the long-handled spider or fry- 
ing pan were used in the fireplace. We are told 
that such pumpkin pies as were baked in the Rusk 
household now exist only in the memory, and that 
corn pone, now made no more, was most delecta- 
ble. This latter was baked in the Dutch oven, 
holding half a bushel or more. It was filled with 
the mixture for the bread, and remained buried 
in glowing coals until the time arrived for taking- 
out the great, round, black pone, which was put 
away for a day or two to season, and then brought 
forth amid rejoicing, to be cut down like a West- 
ern Eeserve cheese. In the matter of the pump- 
kin pies, the visiting preacher had a bounden duty 
to perform. He was always expected to eat, by 
way of dessert, one full pumpkin pie of enormous 
proportions — and he always did it, too. On fes- 
tive occasions, such as weddings and the various 
social gatherings known as "bees," great dinners 



84 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

were provided. At the marriage of Daniel Rusk, 
the elder, a fine pig, stuffed and roasted, surveyed 
the guests from the center of the long table, 
propped up on forks in a very lifelike position, and 
flanked by turkeys and other substantials in pro- 
fusion. 

Doctor Daniel Rusk, a brother of General Husk, 
relates a humorous anecdote concerning the first 
introduction of tea and coffee at his father's house. 
He says: "The only coffee we knew of for a long 
time was made of roasted corn, and sweetened 
with our homemade sugar and molasses. But one 
day father butchered a hog and took him to Zanes- 
ville, where he traded him off for forty acres of 
land, some real coffee and the first lot of store tea 
ever brought into the house. Mother and the 
girls had no idea how to prepare the tea, nor of 
whom to inquire about it; but we were all curious 
to taste it, so they set to work experimenting, and 
boiled it in the teakettle, producing a decoction 
bitter as gall. After we had succeeded in straight- 
ening our wry faces, it was decided to keep the re- 
mainder of the tea for company." 

The religious side of the Rusk children's life has 
perhaps been sufficiently indicated. Sunday- 
school was usually continued for about three 
months in the summertime. The church was at 
some distance from the house, and the hours of 
worship began early in the morning. The chil- 
dren rose at four o'clock, as on week-days, and 



LIFE ON THE RUSK FARM. 85 

walked to the church after a light breakfast. The 
services were of what would now be thought a 
tedious length. A sermon lasting three or four 
hours was not at all unusual. An intermission 
would be taken at noon, and after dinner the 
preacher would resume the thread of his discourse 
and keep on until he got through, no matter how 
long that might take. It was said of a man who 
could reach his "lastly" in less than three hours 
that he had no business in the pulpit. To sleep 
or nod in church, to shuffle the feet, or manifest 
weariness by any other sign was deemed a be- 
trayal of depravity. 



86 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

YOUNG JERRY'S EDUCATION. 

Jeremiah M. Rusk's first instructor in such rudi- 
mentary knowledge as was obtainable from books 
in the schools of that section of country during 
the time of his early boyhood, was an elderly lady 
named Broderick, who kept what was known as 
a "subscription" school, and had but five scholars. 
It is related that whenever his father asked her 
how little Jerry was getting along, the reply was 
invariably the same — "Oh, but he is full of mis- 
chief!" 

Later, he attended for two or three quarters one 
of the recently established public schools, the 
humble forerunners of the excellent school sys- 
tems which now afford to our children the chance 
of a full course of learning, practically free. At 
that time the master was Mr. James Newlin, a 
man of sterling character and much more than 
ordinary ability. He still lives, at the advanced 
age of 92, and conducts a farm almost within 
sight of the log schoolhouse over which he 
once presided, and of the birthplace of General 



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YO UNG JEER Y> S ED UCA TION. 87 

Rusk, whose first appearance before him, accom- 
panying his brothers Daniel and Allen, he well re- 
members. He says that the future great man was 
a tow-headed, blue-eyed boy of eight or ten, wear- 
ing a hunting-shirt ("wamus") and mocassins; a 
manly little fellow, modest to an extreme degree, 
a quality, it may be remarked, that he never lost. 
A brief description of this schoolhouse, a typical 
one of its day, and of the opportunities it had to 
offer to the young idea, may be of interest. It was 
built of logs. At one end was a fireplace, wide 
and deep enough to hold a backlog a foot long be- 
sides a goodly quantity of smaller sticks. The 
master's desk or table was the only one; heavy 
oak slabs, resting upon wooden pins fixed at a 
slant against the wall, served for the use of the 
pupils at the writing lesson; backless benches of 
split logs answered for seats; there were no black- 
boards and no maps. The parents contributed 
the fuel, which was brought in by the larger boys, 
who also made the fires. Foolscap paper was 
used for the writing exercises; the pens were 
quills, and the ink was made from ink powders or 
from oak and maple bark, to a decoction of which 
copperas was added. Grammar was not taught, 
and very little geography. The "Three R's»— 
Reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic— constituted the 
main part of the curriculum. The practice of flog- 
ging was then in vogue, and the teacher had to be 
a man of brawn as well as brain; but Mr. Newlin 



88 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

was a kindly master, and loved to take part in 
the games engaged in around the sclioolliouse be- 
fore and after the hours of study, and at recess. A 
spirit of emulation was thus early aroused in the 
pupils, who lived in times when thought was 
stirred to action willingly or otherwise. Play as 
well as work required self-reliance. 

The people of the vicinity were on very neigh- 
borly terms, and gladly rendered assistance in per- 
forming for a family any farm work beyond the 
strength of its own members. The matter of 
house-raising, already detailed, is one case in 
point, and log-rolling another; if a man had a 
piece of land to clear, the neighbors brought their 
teams and axes and helped him do it. In the sea- 
sons of sugar-making, tobacco gathering, apple- 
paring, peach-cutting, etc., the same friendly spirit 
of helpfulness was evinced. The Golden Rule be- 
came well understood and appreciated. 



PRIMITIVE FARM IMPLEMENTS. 89 



CHAPTER IX 

PRIMITIVE FARM IMPLEMENTS. 

Living as we do in the enjoyment of more mod- 
ern means and methods, almost every class of 
work presents a lighter burden. One contrast 
may be found in a description of the cider-making 
operation, as practiced on the Rusk place. The 
cider press consisted, first, of a platform some 
eight or ten feet square, raised two or three feet 
from the ground, and resting on a solid founda- 
tion. Rising above this were two upright posts, 
fourteen or sixteen inches square, with cross 
beams. Between these posts was the "press ta- 
ble," four to six feet square, constructed of heavy 
timber, the pieces of which were hewed down 
smooth and fastened together to make the table, 
which was itself fastened to the platform by 
means of wooden pins. On this was built up what 
was called the "cheese." Instead of grinding the 
apples, as is now done, a great trough, something 
like a canoe, was hewn from an oak or poplar log, 
over which, so adjusted that it might be raised 
from or lowered into the trough, was a heavy 
piece of wood, square, furnished with holes and 



90 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

pins, and so arranged that it could be rocked back- 
ward and forward to crush the apples against the 
sides of the trough, into which they were poured. 
The troughs were made of various lengths — from 
two to six feet, and would contain two, three, or 
four bushels of the fruit. This rude machine was 
worked by two strong men, who found the opera- 
tion no light one. A later form of mill used on 
the Rusk farm was made by fitting pins in a round 
piece of wood, placed in a hollow cylinder hold- 
ing the apples. The grinding was accomplished 
by means of a sweep, worked by a horse. This 
machine was a crude crusher. 

The apples prepared in this way were shoveled 
out upon a layer of straw on the table, two or 
three bushels of the pulp being used in the mak- 
ing of the ''cheese," which was some three feet 
square and four or five inches thick. On this an- 
other layer of straw would be placed, then an- 
other pulp, and so on, until the cheese was of suf- 
ficient thickness, when the whole mass was bound 
with straw, a cap placed on it, and the cider 
pressed out by means of a long lever, the raising 
and lowering of which required the force of two 
strong men, it being a piece of timber twenty or 
thirty feet long and from eight to twelve inches 
in diameter; in fact, it was a big tree. Probably 
the last of these old-fashioned cider-presses is now 
destroyed. 

In parts of the county a period looked forward 



PRIMITIVE FARM IMPLEMENTS. 91 

to with pleasure, although a period of very hard 
work, and around which memories of many jolly 
hours clustered, was that time in the fall of the 
year when the tobacco was gathered, housed and 
cured. Standing here and there may yet be seen 
tall log buildings with rude stone arches, covered 
with clay, mixed and daubed on until a furnace 
was made. These arches had no chimneys. There 
were usually two of them side by side, running 
nearly through the building, and they were not al- 
together unlike the arches used for burning kilns 
of brick. The furnace made, huge logs of timber 
would be run in from either end, and the firing 
would begin. This was the season when the 
neighborhood boys collected together, and the 
sports would continue sometimes late into the 
night, and sometimes all night. It was a period 
when they would gather in the products of the 
fields, and sometimes of the chase, and they would 
occasionally visit the neighbors' henroosts and 
poultry yards, and even go so far as to get pigs 
and sweet potatoes and corn and melons, and so 
on. It was a period of hard work, frolicking and 
feasting. The tobacco, as it ripened, was stripped 
from the stalk and taken to the tobacco house, 
and there, sometimes without any shelter, the to- 
bacco sticks, some four feet long, or longer, would 
be stuck into auger holes in the logs forming the 
tobacco house, and at their other ends would be 
placed what were called "spuds," heart-shaped 



92 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

pieces of tin, probably two and a half or tliree 
inches in diameter, each having a round tin han- 
dle or receptacle by which it was placed on the 
end of the stick. Then the leaf was taken up by 
the one who was spudding or stringing, and was 
pressed against this tin, a slit made in it and it 
was crowded back upon the stick. From one to 
two hundred large leaves were put on a stick of 
tobacco, which when full was carried out to the 
scaffolding poles, set in forks cut from the woods, 
and put four feet from the ground, and there these 
sticks of tobacco were placed within a foot or so 
of each other, and the tobacco wilted and gotten 
ready for the house as soon as that which was in 
it should be taken down and packed away; and 
this was continued day after day and night after 
uight until the entire crop of the neighborhood 
was cured. The season lasted about six weeks, 
the workers going from house to house. It was 
perhaps the least temperate season of the year. 

The sugar-making, in the springtime, was 
greatly enjoyed by the boys and girls, who then 
got together and visited, one after another, the 
several camps, joining in the work of the day and 
in the succeeding pleasures of the evening, among 
which courtship stood forth prominently, un- 
abashed by the restraints of the home life. 

The sugar-troughs, made from split saplings, 
were hollowed out with axe and foot-adze. When 
these were ready, along in the warm weather of 



PRIMITIVE FARM IMPLEMENTS. 93 

March, the trees were tapped, spouts of sumach 
or elder inserted in the holes, the sap collected 
and carried in buckets to the place of boiling. The 
troughs were about two and a half feet long, and 
each would hold a bucketful— say three gallons. 
These sugar-troughs were frequently used as cra- 
dles. "Sweets to the sweet!" 

Other times of alternating toil and pleasure 
were the corn huskings, harvesting bees, apple 
parings, peach cuttings, apple-butter makings 
and quiltings, all of which were sure to be well 
attended. 



94 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 



CHAPTER X. 

HIS FATHER'S DEATH — THE CARE OF THE FAMILY. 

At the time of his father's death Jeremiah, then 
in his sixteenth year, and his sister Elizabeth, 
were the only children remaining on the home 
place. Up to this time he had done but little seri- 
ous work. The youngest of the family, he had been 
the pet and constant companion of his father, fol- 
lowing him about wherever he went, and undoubt- 
edly deriving much moral benefit from their as- 
sociation. He had helped some little around the 
farm after his tenth year, hauling hop poles, 
mending barrels, cutting wood, etc., so that he 
earned his living, but had not yet been obliged to 
shoulder the burden of life. He was now a well- 
grown young man, very strong and active, and a 
prime favorite throughout the community, a wel- 
come guest at work and play. None of the gath- 
erings spoken of above seemed complete without 
his presence. He excelled in dancing, and was 
noted as a champion wrestler. His brief school- 
days had been brought to a conclusion under an- 
other teacher than Mr. Newlin, and under the fol- 



CARE OF THE FAMILY. 95 

lowing circumstances: One of his brothers, who 
attended the same school, was hard of hearing, 
aad the teacher undertook to thrash him for fail- 
ing to promptly obey an order. Young Jerry said, 
"No, you don't do that; he didn't hear you." The 
teacher thereupon turned his attention to the 
younger boy, and a few moments later, after the 
brothers had walked off together, picked himself 
up from the floor, and resumed his place at the 
desk, where he had leisure to examine his bruises. 
The other sons had homes of their own. Jere- 
miah was now his mother's sole reliance. He at 
once assumed the entire charge of the farm, su- 
perintending all the operations connected with 
its care. This was a great responsibility to be 
borne by one so young, but he was successful from 
the very first. He soon became eminently dexter- 
ous in the use of all farm implements. Few in- 
deed could equal him in the handling of the sickle, 
the scythe, the cradle, or the flail. His reputa- 
tion as a cradler spreading abroad, he was chal- 
lenged to compete for the championship with one 
William Pickerel, who had long been regarded as 
the best man in the section at that work. He ac- 
cepted the challenge, and the farmers came from 
far and near to witness the contest. Pickerel had 
more experience at his back, but Rusk was the 
more powerful man. They met in a ten-acre field 
of the heaviest wheat, Pickerel taking the lead, 
and his antagonist following. When one entire 



96 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

round had been made Pickerel stopped to whet 
his blade. Whetting afforded time for breathing, 
and it was a saying of the day that no time was 
lost in whetting — in renewing one's strength for 
further continuance. But Rusk, aware of his ad- 
vantage, cried, "Go on!" In his might he could 
force even a dull cradle through the strongest 
grain. They went ahead, and before the second 
round was finished Pickerel's scythe had so far 
lost its edge that with all his skill he was unable 
to cope longer with the young giant who swung 
his cradle behind him, and the championship of 
Deerfield Township passed to our hero. 

The produce of the farm was marketed at 
Zanesville, some twenty miles distant. The Rusk 
place was highly productive, and there was al- 
ways much to sell in season. In the fall they 
would load one wagon with wheat and another 
with vegetables, and the trip would be made, re- 
turning in the night. There was, moreover, a 
ready sale for the great crops of apples and 
peaches yielded by the orchard. These were dried 
in a kiln and in a dry-house. Hops were grown 
for sale, and a large flock of geese furnished feath- 
ers for market. Eggs were but little used in those 
days. Wheat sold for fifty cents a bushel, and 
potatoes for twenty-five cents. Butter went as 
high as ten cents a pound, but five or six cents 
was the normal price. 

Young Rusk was already an excellent horse- 



CARE OF THE FAMILY. 97 

man, and would ride the most spirited animals at 
furious rates of speed. He possessed considerable 
veterinary skill, and was often called upon to ex- 
ercise it in behalf of his neighbors. He was a 
proud boy indeed when called upon by Messrs. 
Neill, Moore & Co., of Columbus, to drive one of 
their stage coaches on the line between Zanesville 
and Newark, a distance of about thirty miles. The 
coach was of the old Concord pattern, and was 
drawn by four horses, driven in army style by a 
single rein, the driver riding the "near" wheel 
horse. 
7 



98 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 



CHAPTER XL 

RUSK AND GARFIELD. 

While young Rusk was manipulating his four- 
horse team he became acquainted with a young- 
man of his own age who was engaged in guiding 
the movements of a solitary mule along a tow- 
path. It was in this wise the future Governor of 
Wisconsin and Secretary of Agriculture began 
his friendship with the future President of the 
United States, James A. Garfield. 

During a count} 7 fair he entered a wrestling 
match with two other competitors. The first was 
easily thrown, but in the struggle with the sec- 
ond Rusk had his hands full. Finalty, by a tre- 
mendous effort, the future Governor threw his op- 
ponent completely over his head, stunning him 
and breaking his shoulder. Rusk was greatly 
frightened at the moment, thinking that he might 
have killed his opponent, and from that time 
never again engaged in a wrestling match. 

The stage-driver and the canal boy became fast 
friends. When years after, they met in Washing- 
ton as Members of Congress, they were fond of 
bantering each other about their boyhood days. 



B USK AND GARFIELD. 99 

"Oh, you're of no account; you're only a stage- 
driver," Garfield would remark. 

"Well, what were you?" Rusk would respond in 
his bluff, breezy way. "What did you drive? I 
handled four horses; you steered one little, insig- 
nificant mule." 

Rusk enjoyed telling his reminiscences of this 
period. 

"Yes," he said on one occasion, "I think our 
first meeting was at a wrestling match, when it 
was announced that a canal boy would throw a 
stage-driver. Garfield was a very heavy, rugged 
youngster, and was a true friend to his comrades, 
and always ready to stand by them in any kind 
of trouble or contest. In those days he used fre- 
quently to speak of his future, and always as- 
serted that he intended becoming either a lake 
captain or a lawyer. He left the canal after a 
time and commenced going to school. We were 
always close friends from our boyhood up to the 
time of his death; but of course we knew little or 
nothing of each other for many years, and never 
met after he left the canal until the opening of 
the war. He was on Rosecrans' staff when we 
next saw each other." 

The future Secretary of Agriculture joined a 
man named William Pettit in the purchase of a 
Grubber threshing machine — a machine which 
bore about the same relation to the modern 
header and thresher that the ox-cart of our grand- 



100 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

fathers did to the present railway trains of palace 
cars. It consisted substantially of a capped cylin- 
der, filled with long spikes, and revolved over a 
curved floor or bed, also filled with spikes. The 
wheat was fed in on one side of the cylinder, and 
was supposed to be mashed out of the heads by 
the time it came through on the other side. 
Wheat, dirt, dust, straw, sticks, animals, and 
everything else that went in came out together. 
The man who stood at the mouth of the Grubber 
machine stood at a point where the dirt and dust 
were as thick as in a village on a windy day. Yet 
this thresher was highly esteemed, being the first 
improvement following the flail, the tramping out 
of wheat by horses on a barn floor, and the end- 
less chain, tramp-wheel machine. This partner- 
ship may be considered as the first business ven- 
ture of Jeremiah Busk which brought him into 
intimate business relations with others. From 
six to eight horses would be taken along with the 
machine, and from four to six men, the machine 
requiring the services of a general manager, or 
boss, a feeder, and a driver. At home in any one 
of these positions, Rusk was so popular in all that 
part of the country that the farmers would delay 
the time of their threshing awaiting the arrival 
of the new machine. Many are the stories told 
by old people of the frolics of those days. After 
threshing all day the boys would go and dance all 
night, or, sleeping accommodations being always 



BUSK AND GARFIELD. 101 

at a premium at such times, they would make 
their way to the river, where they would fish and 
swim; otherwise they would improvise some form 
of sport, keep it up half the night, and make their 
couches of the fresh straw threshed during the 
day; thus leading a life which may be termed a 
rural bohemia. The partnership lasted through 
two seasons. 

It may here be stated that in those times, when 
whiskey was not taxed, there was a distillery in 
almost every neighborhood, and a bushel of corn 
or rye would purchase a gallon of liquor. It was 
freely provided at all harvestings, threshings, etc., 
and social gatherings, even the women taking a 
little, sweetened, and mixed with water. Prob- 
ably drunkenness, of a mild type, was no more 
common than now, but it was regarded as less 
heinous. Jeremiah M. Kusk never knew the 
taste of intoxicating liquor. 



102 JE BE 311 AH 21. EU&K. 



CHAPTEK XII. 

EUSK AS A RAILROAD FOREMAN. 

The era of railroad extension had now arrived, 
and everywhere roads were being projected and 
their building commenced. Ohio offered a most 
promising field for this enterprise, and the road 
then known as the "Zanesville & Wilmington" 
road (now the "Muskingum Yalley") was in course 
of construction. Among ambitious young men 
all over the country excitement created by tales 
of the discovery of gold in California, and of the 
rapid rise of men engaged in railroad work was 
rife. A large contractor on the road named was 
approached one morning, at a point a few miles 
west of Zanesville, by the tall, well-built young 
Jeremiah Kusk, who made application for em- 
ployment for himself and team. He was engaged 
and set at work with pick and shovel, but it was 
quickly seen that the stalwart young fellow con- 
tained material too valuable to be thus used, and 
he was made foreman over a gang of men. If the 
sequel does not show that by the exercise of his 
good judgment in making this promotion the con- 



B USK AS ABA ILROA D FOREMAN. 103 

tractor saved the life of one of bis sub-contractors, 
it is at least probable that a theretofore unknown 
power of directing and controlling others was by 
this event brought forcibly to the attention of the 
new boss. The Zanesville & Wilmington Rail- 
road met with the same vicissitudes that other 
roads projected on a similarly magnificent scale 
were destined to experience. The road was forced 
into bankruptcy, and as a consequence of its fail- 
ure the projectors were unable to meet their obli- 
gations. Hundreds of men dependent upon their 
wages for the very existence of themselves and 
their families were thus rendered destitute. Busk 
was among the sufferers, but understood the situ- 
ation better than did the others; and when a mob 
was organized to wreak vengeance upon one of 
his associates, he placed himself between him 
and the infuriated laborers, and then and there 
made his first public speech. Just what he said 
nobody knows at this day; it is supposed to have 
been more forcible than elegant; but the men 
were given to understand that before they could 
reach "the object of their wrath it would be neces- 
sary to pass over the dead bodies of the speaker 
and half a dozen courageous associates who stood 
by him. His own men knew him; they consulted 
together; they deliberated; and they lost the day, 
while Jeremiah Rusk gained his first victory. 

Shortly after this incident, on the 5th day of 
April, 1849, the subject of this history was united 



104 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

in marriage with Mary Martin, fourth daughter 
of Abraham Martin, one of the most highly re- 
spected residents in all that section of Ohio. The 
Martins were from Maryland, and the grand- 
father, Jacob Martin, served in the Revolutionary 
war — receiving a pension the later years of his 
life. 

The ceremony took place in the forenoon at the 
home of the bride, after which came the merry 
making. It was the custom for a mounted caval- 
cade of ladies and gentlemen, headed by the 
groom, to appear at the appointed hour at the 
home of the bride, but on this occasion, besides 
the ordinary guests, the groom was accompanied 
by 500 men, marching in double file, bearing upon 
their shoulders picks and shovels. These were 
the men who had served under Jerry Rusk in 
working upon the railroad, and they were come 
with heartiness and good wishes to greet the bride 
of the man in whom all took pride. 

The men also accompanied the bridal party as 
far as the fork of the road at the starting of the 
procession to the new home near Porterville. This 
was a ride of several days, as it was broken by 
visits of a day and a night to each of the groom's 
relatives within reach; thus the infare was cele- 
brated with much feasting and dancing at every 
stopping place. 

This wedding was one of great interest through- 
out Morgan and the adjoining counties, and is 



RUSK AS A RAILROAD FOREMAN. 105 

still remembered and spoken of with admiration 
by those of the older inhabitants who partici- 
pated in its festivities. 

Three children blessed this union — Charity, 
now Mrs. Elmer H. Craig of Viroqua, Wisconsin ; 
Lycurgus J., who is counsellor at law at Chip- 
pewa Falls, Wisconsin, and Mary J., who was 
born in 1853 and lived but one year. This death 
in the little family was followed in January, 1856, 
by the death of the mother, Mary Martin Rusk, 
at Viroqua, Wisconsin. 



106 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

RUSK AS A COOPER. 

The improvement of the Muskingum river by 
the general government had been undertaken 
some years before this time. This improvement 
was instituted mainly for the purpose of assist- 
ing the development of the salt industry, which 
was now at the height of its success. The wells 
yielded abundantly, and so near together were the 
furnaces along the banks on both sides that the 
boats passing up and down at night were never 
out of sight of their fires. The industry furnished 
employment to a great number of people, and es- 
pecially to those located at points where good 
barrel timber was to be found. After his mar- 
riage Jeremiah Rusk severed his connection with 
the railroad, and converted the log cabin first 
erected by his father into a cooper shop. To this, 
from time to time, as his business increased, he 
made additions. He employed a number of 
coopers, and engaged in barrel making, at which 
he soon became expert himself. In this employ- 
ment he added to his reputation for reliability. 



RUSK AS A COOPER. 107 

The dealers whom he supplied, and who furnished 
1 an els to the salt makers, could always depend 
upon his promises in regard to filling their orders. 
At one time a competition sprang up which af- 
fected injuriously not only the barrel making car- 
ried on in his own neighborhood, but also the salt 
industry in other localities, and lessened the de- 
mand for his product. In McConnelsville there 
was a prominent business man named Eli Shep- 
ard, familiarly known as "Bully." He was about 
as broad as he was long, and had a great head, 
with massive jaws. He also possessed a determi- 
nation that brooked no disputing. lie dealt in 
nearly everything; he was a salt maker, a miller, 
and a general wholesale dealer; he supplied bar- 
rels to the owners of salt furnaces. Rusk made 
a contract with him early in the spring, before 
the competition mentioned rose, to furnish barrels 
at a certain price for the entire season, which 
closed with the freezing over of the river, Shepard 
agreeing to take at that figure all he could make. 
The price was five cents less per barrel than was 
paid to other coopers at that time. But Rusk was 
far-sighted. He went home and worked along 
quietly, but not slowly. The month of May had 
not passed before what he had expected hap- 
pened; the market price of barrels dropped below 
the figure of his contract. A number of good 
coopers were discharged from other shops, and 
Rusk employed them; a large amount of coopers' 



108 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

material was thrown on the market, and he 
bought it. Then he began to send in barrels to 
Shepard. They went in at the rate of from one 
to three loads a day. Shepard was dumbfounded, 
but he only said, as each load came, "Great 
heavens! not more barrels, I hope — not another 
load?" But, fortunately for Shepard, he was not 
a loser in the end, for in the fall another change 
came, and he made money from the immense 
stock of barrels he had bought and stored. 

The episode, however, was not forgotten. Years 
afterward, when Rusk was a general in the army, 
he returned to McConnelsville to visit his brother 
and his other friends in the neighborhood. Wear- 
ing his full regimentals, he walked over to see his 
old friend Shepard, who happened to be sitting 
away back in the far end of his store. Shepard 
saw the tall, stalwart man enter the doorway, and 
waddled forward from his desk to meet him. For 
a few moments neither spoke a word of greeting. 
Each had his eye fixed on the other. Then the 
silence was broken by Shepard, who growled out: 

"Hullo there, Jerry! I suppose, by heavens, 
you have brought me another load of barrels, 
haven't you?" 

Jeremiah Rusk followed this business, with 
varying success, until, in 1853, he felt impressed 
to do as his father had done before him, to leave 
the loved scenes of his childhood and go to the 
then far West, the new countrv which seemed to 



RUSK AS A COOPER. 109 

offer better opportunities for success in life. 
Hard as it was to sever the many ties that bound 
him to his native place, there were many reasons 
which urged the emigration. Land in the West 
was easily obtained, and farming was his forte. 
Perhaps his ambitious instinct told him that in 
a new community a man of his character was 
sure to rise. At that time the trend of emigra- 
tion was toward Wisconsin and Iowa. The gold 
fever had not yet subsided, and caravans were 
still, at intervals, made up for California, but the 
greater number of the pioneers from Morgan 
County, including his brother Allen, had settled 
in Wisconsin, and thither, after much discussion, 
he elected to go. With his brave-hearted young 
wife and their two infant children, Charity and 
Lycurgus, he made the long journey in a common 
covered wagon of the emigrants. 

Several times Jeremiah Rusk revisited the 
neighborhood of his Ohio home. At the time of 
the last occasion he was Governor of Wisconsin, 
and came to see to the marking by a monument 
of the graves of his beloved father and mother, 
which lie side by side in the beautiful little rural 
cemetery attached to the church his father built. 
Standing by these honored graves, he said to his 
sister: 

"Were I to give way to my feeling, as I stand 
here, I could not restrain my tears. During the 
last thirty years hardly a day has passed in which 



110 JEREMIA H M. R USK. 

this landscape has not spread itself like a pano- 
rama before my mind. I love this scene of my 
boyhood days, the times when I lived by hard la- 
bor, and the times in which my associations 
helped to form whatever of good character I have. 
It was here that for fifteen years I had the guid- 
ing hand of a good father, whose precepts and 
examples, more than anything else, made a career 
for me possible; it was here that I gained the first 
rudiments of knowledge; it was here that I was 
thrown on my own resources, at a time when 
other boys were still at school, and was compelled 
to battle w r ith the world for the livelihood of my 
father's family from the time of his death. 

"'This explains," he continued, "why, when 
among the polished, and called upon to express 
the thoughts I can turn into acts, my speech is 
halting, and at times embarrassing to me; it is 
ihe lack of early education. Yet there is this 
compensation, when I reflect upon my defects in 
this regard, that they are not the results of vi- 
cious habits, but came through my endeavors to 
do my duty toward those who otherwise must 
have suffered in the hard struggles we made 
here." 

During his career General Rusk financially as- 
sisted many a poor young man in his efforts to 
acquire an education. His ear was never deaf 
to an appeal made in this behalf. 



EMIGRATES TO WIS COX SIN. HI 



CHAPTER XIV. 

EMIGRATES TO WISCONSIN. 

A majority of the settlers near Viroqua at this 
time were originally from Morgan and Perry 
Counties, Ohio, and were all personal acquaint- 
ances of young Rusk, and this led him to locate 
there. 

His first occupation in his new home was that 
of a tavern keeper, a vocation in which he was, 
as in everything else, successful. He readily 
adapted himself to the conditions and surround- 
ings, and at once became popular. In addition 
to his duties as landlord of the Buckeye House, 
he ran a threshing machine, and the old settlers 
say that at the close of a hard day's work, feed- 
ing the machine, he was never too weary to join 
a party and attend a country dance. His splen- 
did physique, his fondness for athletic training, 
and his genial qualities soon made him ac- 
quainted with practically every resident of Bad 
Ax, now Vernon County. He acquired the pro- 
prietorship of a stage line between Prairie du 
Chien and Black River Falls, and part of the time 
drove one of the stages himself, still retaining his 



112 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

hotel, which was a very popular stopping place. 
He did not entirely abandon the stage business 
until after the outbreak of the Rebellion. He 
held the contract for carrying the mails. 

In 1S55, less than two years after his settle- 
ment in Bad Ax County, he was nominated for 
sheriff, and such was his hold upon the people 
that his election met with no opposition. This 
result may be attributed to an incident which had 
happened a short time prior. 

"Accident has occasionally been of essential 
benefit to the Governor," said a gentleman who 
had known him for many years. "For instance, 
it was one of these lucky accidents that made him 
sheriff. One morning there came to his tavern, 
and asked for some refreshment, a man driving a 
single horse to a buggy. He was given what he 
asked for, and soon after drove away. Within a 
short time some officers came along in pursuit of 
a horsethief, and learned that the man who had 
stopped for something to eat was the person for 
whom they were in search. A hasty discussion 
was held as to the course which the fleeing thief 
had probably taken, and the sheriff's officers de- 
cided to follow one trail. When they had left the 
tavern-keeper concluded to follow another course 
which, as it seemed to him, the fugitive would be 
more likely to take. He mounted a swift horse 
and pursued on the road leading to Kickapoo. 

"After many miles of hot riding, he overtook 



EMIGRATES TO WISCONSIN. 113 

the buggy in which was the offender, fast asleep, 
worn out with fatigue. Without a moment's hes- 
itation, the pursuer sprang from his horse into the 
vehicle, and single handed, after a severe strug- 
gle, secured the criminal. The sagacity displayed 
in picking out the route chosen by the horsethief, 
the courage in attacking him without any arms, 
and the strength shown in mastering the man, 
suggested him as a suitable candidate for sheriff." 
Mr. Rusk proved a very popular and efficient of- 
ficer, and retired with the friendship and good 
will of every one in the county. 
8 



114 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 



CHAPTER XV. 

ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE. 

In 1861 Mr. Rusk was nominated on the Kepub- 
lican ticket for Member of Assembly for the Sec- 
ond District, and was elected over Edward Sear- 
ing, who was afterwards State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction of Wisconsin. At this time 
the civil war had broken out, and the session of 
the Wisconsin legislature of 1862 was the most 
stormy one upon record. The Eepublicans and 
"War Democrats" combined to secure the organi- 
zation of the Assembly, and after a protracted ef- 
fort, in which at times personal violence was 
threatened, succeeded in electing Mr. Beardsley 
as the speaker, and securing the organization of 
the house. Mr. Rusk took a very prominent part 
in this organization, and his magnificent physique 
and commanding presence had much to do with 
the success of the combination. 

It was during this session of the legislature that 
petitions were circulated for signatures through- 
out the county, praying a change of the county's 
name from Bad Ax to Vernon. The name "Bad 



ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE. 115 

Ax" was in disfavor, and the impression among 
people outside was that it was a rough country, 
with poor thin soil. A popular prejudice existed 
against the county, and the mention of its name 
among strangers who had never been within its 
borders invariably caused smiles. General Busk, 
in 1883, when asked as to the origin of the move- 
ment for the change of name, wrote the following 
letter to the editor of a History of Vernon County 
which was then being compiled: 



"Executive Chamber, 
''Madison, Wis., October 29, 1883. 
"Dear Sir: 

"Many of the leading citizens of the county be- 
lieved that the name Bad Ax was a detriment to 
the future prosperity of the county. The Hon. 
William F. Terhune went east about 1859, and 
when he returned he was thoroughly convinced 
that the name of the county was a great detri- 
ment to it, and from that time he strongly urged 
the change. An effort was made to change the 
name in 1860. In 1861 I was elected to the As- 
sembly, and a very strong petition was signed 
and presented to me, urging the change to some- 
thing else, but not designating what. At that 
time I was not very favorable to the change; but 
when the Legislature convened I became thor- 
oughly convinced that the name was a detriment 



116 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

to the county. Whenever I rose and addressed 
the chair, and the speaker recognized "the gentle- 
man from Bad Ax," everybody in the chamber 
turned to look at the member to see if he looked 
like the rest of the members. I immediately 
wrote Judge Terhune to select a name and I 
would do what I could to make the change. Judge 
Terhune sent me the name "Vernon," and the bill 
was presented and passed that Legislature. 
"Yours very truly, 

"J. M. Busk." 



The name Vernon was finally selected. The 
reason for its adoption was that the root of the 
word, meaning greenness, was applicable not to 
the people, but to the general appearance of the 
county, covered as it was in many places with 
green wheat fields. Moreover, the word was eu- 
phonic, and carried with it a pleasing association 
with Mount Vernon, the home of the Father of 
his Country. This selection was made by the late 
Hon. William F. Terhune. A correspondent of 
the Vernon County Censor, in writing to that pa- 
per in 1869, relative to the change of name, says: 

"For many years the county of which Viroqua 
is the county seat labored under a great disadvan- 
tage in consequence of her taking to herself a 
name that had neither meaning nor sense. Why 
the settlers of the county suffered the name of 



ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE. 117 

Bad Ax to be fastened on them can not now be 
ascertained. That the name blasted the county 
so long as it was retained is a fact patent to all. 
As soon as the name was changed to Vernon the 
whole county began to flourish, and now Vernon 
County has no small influence in the state." 



118 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

RECRUITS A REGIMENT FOR THE WAR. 

Immediately upon the adjournment of the 
Legislature Mr. Rusk, acting under a commission 
given him by Governor Edward Salomon, began 
to recruit the organization afterward known as 
the Twenty-fifth Regiment, of Wisconsin Infantry 
Volunteers, of which he was commissioned Major, 
declining the Colonelcy for the reason, as he often 
exjTained to the writer, that he did not feel com- 
pet nt to assume command. The record of this 
regiment, as officially summarized in the Annual 
Report of the Adjutant General of the State of 
Wisconsin, for the year ending December 30, 1865, 
is as follows: 

The several organizations composing this [the 
25th] regiment, recruited principally in the river 
counties, were ordered to rendezvous at La Crosse, 
on the 4th of September, 1862. Regimental or- 
ganization was soon effected, under the direction 
of Colonel Milton Montgomery, and the regiment 
was mustered into United States service on the 
14th. On the 19th they left Camp Salomon, at 




MAJOR JERRY RUSK. 



RECRUITS A REGIMENT. 119 

La Crosse, under orders to report to General Pope, 
at St. Paul, Minnesota, for the purpose of sup- 
pressing the Indian difficulties in that State. On 
arriving next day at St. Paul the regiment was 
divided by order of the commanding general; five 
companies, under command of Lieutenant Colonel 
Nasmith, being sent to Sauk Centre, Painsville 
and Acton; the remainder under command of 
Colonel Montgomery, going to Leavenworth, Fair- 
mount, Winnebago City and New Ulm, the regi- 
mental headquarters being established at the last 
mentioned place. 

In the latter part of November orders had 
reached all these companies to march at once for 
Winona, Minn., which place was designated as 
the rendezvous for the regiment. The long march 
of nearly three hundred miles, through a new 
country, with bad roads and in the depth of our 
northwestern winter, was at once undertaken. 
The last company arrived, and the regiment was 
reunited at Winona, on the 13th of December. 
They arrived at La Crosse, in this State, forty 
miles from Winona, on the 15th; whence they 
moved to Camp Eandall on the 18th. Of the ac- 
tions of the regiment during the Indian expedi- 
tion in our sister State, little can be said which 
comes within the scope of such a sketch as this. 
Scattered as they were over a vast extent of coun- 
try, they could be indebted to no esprit du corps 
for stimulus to duty. It is not out of place to say 



120 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

here that they performed their whole duty, some- 
times under circumstances of peculiar hardship, 
to the satisfaction of their commanding officers. 

The Twenty-fifth again left the State, for active 
service in the field, on the 17th of February, 1863, 
under orders to report at Cairo, Illinois. They ar- 
rived at that place on the 19th, and moved next 
day to Columbus, Ky., where they went into camp 
near the fortifications. With the exception of an 
expedition in the latter part of April, for the re- 
lief of Cape Girardeau, when attacked by the 
rebels under Marmaduke, they were employed in 
the performance of post and picket duty at this 
place, until the 31st of May, when they proceeded 
down the Mississippi. Touching at Memphis, 
Tenn., on the 2d of June, orders awaited them to 
proceed at once to Young's Point, La., at which 
place they arrived on the morning of the 4th. Pro- 
ceeding thence to Chickasaw Bayou, they were 
ordered up the Yazoo river to Satartia, Miss., 
where they disembarked and went into camp in 
the evening of the same day. 

On the 5th of June the regiment was brigaded 
with the Twenty-seventh Wisconsin and two other 
regiments, and the colonel placed in command of 
Montgomery's brigade, Kimball's provisional di- 
vision. Leaving Satartia on the 6th, they marched 
down the valley of the Yazoo, in intensely hot 
weather, a distance of thirty miles, and encamped 
next day at Haines' Bluff. Their camp was re- 



RECRUITS A REGIMEXT. 121 

moved four miles, on the 11th, to Snyder's Bluff, 
close to the bank of the Yazoo, forming the left 
of the rear investing line of Vicksburg. Here 
they remained, performing picket duty and work 
on the fortifications and entrenchments, until the 
25th, when the regiment, with a force of artillery 
and cavalry, the whole under command of Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Nasmith, was ordered to proceed 
up the Mississippi, for the purpose of capturing 
guerillas. The expedition arrived on the 27th at 
a point below Greenville, Miss., where the cavalry 
disembarked at noon, and proceeded across the 
country to that place. Failing to discover the 
enemy, the cavalry again embarked next day, and 
the expedition proceeded to Spanish Moss Bend, 
a few miles above, on the Arkansas side, at which 
place a boat had been fired into the previous 
night. 

Landing at this place, they marched into the 
country in quest of the enemy. His pickets were 
soon encountered and driven in. The pursuit was 
continued for six miles, until darkness set in, 
when our force returned to the boats, proceeding- 
down the river on the 29th of June. While on the 
way news was received that the enemy was at- 
tacking Lake Providence, La. Their speed was 
at once increased, and the force arrived just in 
time to save the place, the enemy decamping as 
the expedition came in sight and landed. They re- 
mained here during the night, at the request of 



122 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

General Eeed, who anticipated a renewal of the 
attack, and returned to Snyder's Bluff next day, 
resuming duty in the entrenchments. 

While stationed in this sickly spot the health 
of the regiment suffered severely. On the 20th of 
July five hundred men lay sick, and not more 
than one hundred were fit for duty. They left 
Snyder's Bluff on the 25th of July, and proceed- 
ing up the river, the regiment, with the exception 
of four companies left at Lake Providence, disem- 
barked at Helena, Ark., on the 31st. The regi- 
ment was reunited by the arrival of these com- 
panies on the 12th of August. On arriving at He- 
lena they were detached from the brigade, and 
Colonel Montgomery was placed in command of 
the District of Eastern Arkansas, the regiment 
being detailed as provost guard of the post. 

The Twenty-fifth remained at Helena, Ark., em- 
ployed principally in provost duty, until the 29th 
of January, 1SG4, when they embarked, and pro- 
ceeding clown the Mississippi, landed on the 2d of 
February at Vicksburg, Miss. Marching under 
the command of Lieutenant Colonel Rusk, with 
the celebrated Meridian Expedition, under Gen- 
eral Sherman, they left Vicksburg on the 3d, and 
moving in an easterly direction across the State 
of Mississippi, reached Meridian, Miss., on the 
14th. After a delay of two days at this point, the 
march was resumed, and the regiment arrived on 
the 26th at Canton, Miss., at the junction of the 



RECRUITS A REGIMENT. 123 

New Orleans and Jackson, and Mississippi Cen- 
tral Eailroads, having marched a distance of two 
hundred and seventy-five miles from Vicksburg. 
They left Canton on the 1st of March, and march- 
ing by way of Livingston, Brownsville and Big 
Black River, arrived on the 4th at Vicksburg, 
where they went into camp and remained until 
the 13th, at which date they embarked, and pro- 
ceeding up the Mississippi, arrived on the 20th 
at Cairo, 111. On the 21th they were ordered to 
Columbus, Ky., the terminus of the Mobile and 
Ohio Railroad, and had proceeded by rail to 
within a short distance of Union City, when or- 
ders were received to return immediately to Cairo, 
at which place they again encamped late in the 
evening. 

Re-embarking at Cairo on the 26th, they as- 
cended the Tennessee river to Crump's Landing, 
at which place they landed on the evening of the 
29th and bivouacked for the night. On the fol- 
lowing day they marched a distance of thirteen 
miles to Purdy, Tenn., where they arrived at noon, 
having routed during the march a body of rebel 
cavalry, under Colonel Wisdom. They returned 
on the 31st to the transports, and resuming their 
progress up the river on the following day, landed 
on the 2d of April at Waterloo, Ala., and march- 
ing thence by way of Florence and Athens, ar- 
rived on the 9th at Mooresville, Ala., seventy- 



124 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

eight miles from Stevenson, on the Memphis and 
Charleston railroad. 

On the evening of the 16th they marched five 
miles to Decatur, the junction of the Tennessee 
and Alabama Central railroads, where they had 
a sharp skirmish with the enemy on the follow- 
ing day, losing two men wounded. At this point 
Colonel Montgomery resumed command on the 
22d of April, and here the regiment was stationed 
for the performance of guard duty, until the 1st 
of May, when they marched to Huntsville, whence 
they proceeded by rail on the 4th to Chattanooga, 
Tenn., arriving at the latter place on the 5th. 
They immediately moved forward to join our 
forces under General Sherman, and marching by 
Gordon's and Maddock's Gap, formed in line of 
battle on the 9th at the bluffs near Resaca, under 
the fire of the rebel batteries. 

From this point they fell back with the army 
to Snake Creek Gap, and fortified their camp. 
This position they occupied until the 13th, when 
the regiment took position in line before Resaca, 
remaining until one in the afternoon of the next 
day, when they were relieved and moved to the 
rear. Three hours afterwards the brigade was 
ordered to the support of General Logan, whose 
column was giving way. At seven o'clock the 
regiment formed in line, and charging over the 
Thirtieth Iowa, drove two rebel brigades from the 



EECRUITS A REGIMENT. 125 

crest of a hill, after a severe conflict, lasting two 
hours, in which they lost twenty-seven men. 

This position they held until the evacuation of 
Eesaca, after which they crossed the Calhoun 
river on the lGth of May, and having advanced 
about five miles, encamped at three in the after- 
noon. An hour afterwards the Second division 
of the Sixteenth army corps having been driven 
from the front by the enemy, the regiment 
promptly formed in line with the Fourth division 
of that corps, retaining the position until the for- 
ward movement was resumed on the afternoon of 
the following day. 

Passing through Adairsville on the ISth of 
May, they encamped on the following day near 
Kingston, where they remained until the 24th, at 
which date they were again put in motion, and 
proceeding by w T ay of Vanwirt, arrived on the 
26th within two and a half miles of Dallas. 
Forming in line shortly before noon, they were 
engaged in skirmishing until five in the evening, 
when they advanced through Dallas, which had 
been abandoned by the enemy, and bivouacked 
for the night a short distance south of the town. 
On the 27th they advanced to the front, and were 
engaged during the three following days in heavy 
skirmishing with the enemy, repulsing his at- 
tacks upon the picket line with heavy loss. 

They occupied position in the front line until 
the 1st of June, when they were withdrawn from 



126 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

the trenches before daylight, and participating in 
the general movement to the left to turn the rebel 
position at Allatoona Pass, marched six miles to 
Pumpkin Vine Creek, near which they biv- 
ouacked for the night, and on the afternoon of the 
following day changed position a mile to the 
right, where they were attacked by the enemy's 
batteries, which were soon silenced by our artil- 
lery. Crossing the stream on the 3d, they ad- 
vanced four miles, and having erected breast- 
works during the night, occupied the position 
until the afternoon of the 5th, when they moved 
four miles to the right. Next day they were 
again put in motion, and passing through Ack- 
worth, encamped nearly a mile from the town, 
remaining until the 10th, when they advanced 
four miles, accompanying the army of the Ten- 
nessee in the movement to break the rebel lines 
between Kenesaw and Pine Mountains. On the 
following day, taking the lead of the Second bri- 
gade, they advanced two miles to the railroad, 
where line of battle was formed with the enemy 
on their flank and front. 

While holding this position company C was de- 
tailed at three in the morning of the 12th to build 
rifle pits in front, which they finished by daylight, 
and next day company D was employed in open- 
ing a road through the woods in their rear for 
more convenient access to the teams. In the 
evening companies C, H and K occupied the front 



RECRUITS A REGIMENT. 127 

line of rifle pits, and on the 15th companies E, D, 
F, G and I, with six companies from other regi- 
ments, were thrown forward on the skirmish line 
under command of Lieutenant Colonel Rusk, and 
advanced one and a half miles, carrying the ene- 
my's skirmish line and front line of works, and 
maintaining their position through the night, dur- 
ing which they were twice charged by the enemy 
in the darkness. The position was retained with 
heavy fighting and the loss of fifteen men until 
morning, when they rejoined the balance of the 
regiment, which had moved forward to support 
the picket line against the anticipated advance 
of the enemy. 

The enemy having abandoned his line on Lost 
Mountain on the 17th of June, they advanced on 
the 19th across the rebel works in their front, and 
in the afternoon advanced still farther towards 
Kenesaw Mountain, establishing position on the 
crest of a hill, which they proceeded to fortify. 
Here they were engaged in siege and fatigue duty, 
constantly exposed to the enemy's fire, until the 
morning of the 3d of July, when they were put in 
motion to accompany the movement of the army 
of the Tennessee on the right of our forces. 
Marching on the road between Kenesaw and Lost 
Mountains, they advanced three miles, where they 
constructed breastworks, and were ordered to 
support a battery, under heavy fire from the rebel 
artillery. They subsequently occupied the works 



128 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

in their front, which were abandoned by the 
enemy, and on the 5th continued the movement 
to the right. Marching on the Sandtown road, 
they encamped in the evening two and a half 
miles from the Chattahoochee River, remaining 
until the 7th, when they advanced two miles to- 
wards the river. They again moved on the 9th, 
and passing through Marietta, where they biv- 
ouacked for the night, forded the Chattahoochee 
on the following day, going into camp on the 
south side of the river. 

Participating in the general advance of the 
army, they marched at noon on the 17th, and 
crossing the railroad next day, passed through 
Decatur on the 19th, encamping on the right of 
the army of the Tennessee, in rear of General Lo- 
gan's command, on the following day. On the 
21st, with a section of artillery, they moved back 
to Decatur, under orders to guard the flank of the 
army trains, and next day companies B, E, F and 
I of the Twenty-fifth, with four companies of an 
Ohio regiment, under command of Colonel Mont- 
gomery, moved forward one mile; when company 
F of the Twenty-fifth, with an Ohio company, was 
deployed as skirmishers, under command of Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Rusk. These companies moved 
forward, engaged the enemy, who was in greatly 
superior force (two divisions of Wheeler's cav- 
alry), and were driven back upon the main body, 
when the engagement became general. 



RECRUITS A REGIMENT. l£9 

Colonel Montgomery having been severely 
wounded at the first fire from the enemy, Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Rusk took command of the regi- 
ment, and by order of General Sprague fell back 
into the town. Companies D and G being de- 
tached on picket duty, the remaining companies, 
C, H and K of the regiment, with a battery of ar- 
tillery, had been left in charge of the camp. After 
a gallant resistance, the whole force retired to 
the town, and retained their position for nearly 
three hours of very heavy fighting and repeated 
charges by the enemy. At this time they were 
again ordered one and a half miles farther to the 
rear, where the advance of the rebels was finally 
checked. The trains were saved, but the regi- 
ment sustained a loss amounting to one-fourth of 
the whole number engaged, the list of casualties 
showing fifteen killed, fifty-seven wounded, 
twenty-five missing and three prisoners, among 
the latter of whom was Colonel Montgomery. On 
the 23d, having buried the dead and provided for 
the wants of the wounded, they marched through 
the town, and proceeding two miles on the At- 
lanta road, erected breastworks and bivouacked 
until the 25th, when they advanced three miles, 
encamping in line, protected by breastworks. 

On the 26th of July the regiment moved for- 
ward two miles on the Atlanta road, and biv- 
ouacked until midnight, when they passed to the 
rear of the army, from the left to the right flank, 
9 



ISO JEREMIAH M. HUSK. 

a distance of twenty-two miles, and forming with 
the brigade, drove the enemy from his position on 
a hill, and having lain on their arms during the 
night, they next morning took position and threw 
up a line of works, which they retained under a 
heavy fire during the battle of the 28th. On the 
30th they moved a short distance to the right, and 
next day the regiment was detailed as grand 
guard, and employed on the skirmish line. Retir- 
ing on the 1st of August to the reserve line, they 
remained until the morning of the 6th, when they 
moved to the skirmish line, and at nine o'clock 
they repulsed the attack of the rebels, who ad- 
vanced in a double line to the assault. 

During the two following days they were held 
in reserve, and on the 9th advanced to the front 
line, and under heavy fire fortified a position 
within five hundred yards of the rebel main lines, 
which position they maintained, under constant 
fire, until the evening of the 20th, when they were 
put in motion, accompanying the movement of 
the army of the Tennessee. Continuing the march, 
they struck the Atlanta and West Point Railroad 
near Fairburn on the 28th, and having spent the 
next day in destroying the road, they resumed the 
march on the morning of the 30th, and advancing 
towards the Macon Railroad, bivouacked for the 
night near Jonesboro. They were next day pres- 
ent at the battle of Jonesboro, but were not 
actively engaged. On the 2d of September they 



RECRUITS A REGIMENT. 131 

moved forward eight miles in pursuit of the re- 
treating enemy, when they fortified position near 
Lovejoy Station, and remained until the 6th, at 
which date the return march was commenced. 
They arrived on the 8th at East Point, six miles 
from Atlanta, on the Macon and Western Kail- 
road, where they went into camp. 

The Twenty-fifth Wisconsin, attached to the 
Second brigade, First division of the Seventeenth 
army corps, left East Point, Ga., on the 1st of 
October, 1SG1, as part of a reconnoitering expe- 
dition, and having next day developed the enemy, 
entrenched and in force near the Newman road, 
on the Montgomery railroad, returned on the 
morning of the 3d to camp at East Point. 

Accompanying the Seventeenth corps, in the 
movement of General Sherman's forces, to meet 
the attempt of the rebel forces upon the communi- 
cations with Chattanooga, they again left East 
Point on the 4th of October, the regiment during 
the beginning of the march acting as guard to the 
supply trains, which they were frequently called 
upon to assist in their passage over the muddy 
roads. They crossed the Chattahoochee River on 
the following day, and passing through Marietta 
and around Kenesaw Mountain on the 9th, 
reached Ackworth and crossed the Etowah River 
on the 11th of October. 

Continuing the march, they passed through 
Kingston on the 12th, arriving on the afternoon 



132 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

of the next day at Adairsville, whence they moved 
by rail to Resaca, at which place they took posi- 
tion on the ground occupied by the regiment dur- 
ing the engagement of the loth of May. 

On the 15th of October they moved to Snake 
Creek Gap, and the enemy, who had established 
himself in the works formerly erected by our 
troops, having been driven out, they pressed rap- 
idly forward in pursuit, companies F and G act- 
ing as pioneers, to clear off the obstructions which 
the enemy, in his flight, had placed in the road. 
Passing through Ship Gap, on the 16th of October, 
and Summerville on the 20th, they crossed the 
State line next day and bivouacked at Gayles- 
ville, Ala., on Little River. From this point com- 
panies B, E, F, G and H were detailed to guard 
the supply train to Rome, Ga., and rejoined the 
regiment on the 27th at Gaylesville. On the 24th 
of October Lieutenant Colonel Rusk rejoined and 
took command of the regiment, which he retained 
until its muster-out of service, with the exception 
of eight days subsequently, when in the vicinity 
of Pocotaligo, S. C. 

The Twenty-fifth left Gaylesville on the 28th of 
October, and marching to the southward, arrived 
on the 30th at Cave Springs, Ga., having marched 
during the month a distance estimated at two 
hundred and seventy miles. 

The march was resumed on the 1st of Novem- 
ber, and proceeding by way of Cedartown, Dallas 



RECRUITS A REGIMENT. 133 

and Marietta, they crossed the Chattahoochee 
River on the 10th and entered Atlanta on the fol- 
lowing day. Here they were engaged in various 
duties until the commencement of General Sher- 
man's celebrated march through Georgia to Sa- 
vannah. 

Accompanying the Seventeenth corps, and act- 
ing as train guard, the Twenty-fifth left Atlanta 
on the 15th of November, and taking the road to 
McDonough, passed through that place on the 
17th, bivouacking on the road near Jackson. On 
the 20th they passed through Monticello, where 
the regiment was relieved from duty as train 
guard, and rejoined the brigade. They arrived 
on the 22d at Gordon, the junction of the Mil- 
ledgeville and Eatonton, and Georgia Central 
Railroads, where they were ordered to destroy the 
road. Pressing forward from this point on the 
24th of November, and destroying the railroad as 
they advanced, they arrived on the 26th in the vil- 
lage of Toomsboro, where the regiment was de- 
tailed as pontoon guard, and the engineer corps 
placed under the charge of Lieutenant Colonel 
Rusk. 

They crossed the Oconee River on the 27th, com- 
panies B, E, G and IT acting as rear guard, and 
on the 30th crossed the Ogeechee River and biv- 
ouacked, having marched two hundred and thirty 
miles during the month. Resuming the march on 
the 1st of December, they crossed Buckhead 



134 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

Creek, near Millen, on the following day, and on 
the 8th reached Marlow, a station on the Georgia 
Central Railroad, twenty-six miles from Savan- 
nah, where the regiment was temporarily relieved 
from duty as guard to the pontoon train. 

On the 9th of December they encountered the 
enemy posted near the west end of Long Swamp, 
and the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin, taking position 
in the rear of the brigade, was shortly afterwards 
ordered to support a battery. The rebels were 
soon driven from their position, when the regi- 
ment moved forward through the swamp south of 
the railroad to Station No. 1, where a number of 
torpedoes had been planted by the enemy. Here 
they took position and commenced the construc- 
tion of breastworks. 

On the 10th they moved out in the rear of the 
brigade, and having advanced about three miles, 
again struck the enemy. The regiment took po- 
sition in the rear of the Third brigade, and sub- 
sequently moved to the right, fronting the Ogee- 
chee Canal. Their position here being very much 
exposed to the enemy's artillery, they forded the 
canal and took position with the brigade within 
five hundred yards of the enemy's fortifications. 
At night they were ordered to advance the line 
two hundred yards and erect substantial breast- 
works and rifle pits, when it was found that a 
deep swamp extended in front of the rebel lines. 
On the afternoon of the following day, during 



EECR UITS A REGIMENT. 135 

which one of their number was killed and one 
wounded, the}' were relieved by the advance of the 
Fourteenth corps, and recrossing the canal, they 
marched around the swamp, a distance of five 
miles, "and finding a dry spot, bivouacked for the 
night." 

They took position on the 12th of December at 
Dillon's Bridge, in unfinished works previously 
erected by the Fifteenth corps, which they com- 
pleted and held until the 19th, moving on that 
day to King's Bridge. On their arrival they were 
ordered by General Sherman to return to the en- 
trenchments at Dillon's Bridge, which they occu- 
pied, engaged in the performance of heavy picket 
and garrison duty, until the 3d of January, 1865, 
when they marched through Savannah and em- 
barked next day below the city at Thunderbolt, 
arriving in the afternoon at Beaufort, Port Royal 
Island, S. C, where they encamped three and a 
half miles from the city. 

They remained in camp on Port Royal Island 
until the 13th of January, when they commenced 
the march through the Carolinas, and crossing the 
Pocotaligo River on pontoons next day, biv- 
ouacked within a mile of Fort Pocotaligo, which 
the enemy abandoned during the night. On the 
15th of January they advanced, with little opposi- 
tion, through several strongly fortified lines of the 
enemy, which were very difficult of approach on 
account of swamps and deep ditches, arriving 



136 JEREMIAH M. inSK. 

about noon at Pocotaligo, forty-nine miles from 
Savannah, on the Charleston and Savannah Kail- 
road. In the afternoon they moved one mile to 
the left, and encamped in the woods on the right 
of the road, where they lay until ordered on the 
18th to protect the forage train reported to be at- 
tacked by the rebels; in obedience to which order 
they moved five miles towards McPhersonville, 
and having participated in a slight skirmish, re- 
turned without loss to camp. 

On the 20th of January they moved out on a 
reconnoissance towards the Salkehatchie River. 
Having marched about five miles, they encoun- 
tered the enemy, drove in his pickets, and dis- 
lodged a small force from temporary earthworks 
in the road, thence moving down the river, which 
they were unable to ford, returned to camp in the 
evening. The regiment on the 23d was ordered 
on fatigue duty, and moved towards Fort Poco- 
taligo, in the vicinity of which they were em- 
ployed in cutting timber and corduroying the 
roads, which at this point were impassable for 
teams, until the 30th of January, when they 
marched nearly six miles towards the Salkehat- 
chie River, encampi: g near Pocotaligo. 

On the 1st of February they advanced thirteen 
miles. Next day, having moved forward about 
ten miles, driving the enemy from his entrench- 
ments as they advanced, the trains were halted, 
and the Twentv-fifth ordered to take the advance. 



RECRUITS A REGIMENT. 137 

Companies C, E, I and K, under command of Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Rusk, were deployed as skirmish- 
ers, and rapidly advanced on the left of a large 
swamp, the remaining companies, under Major 
Joslin, following as a reserve. 

They were soon afterwards ordered to charge 
the enemy's works at Rivers' Bridge, on the Sal- 
kehatchie River, and sustaining a severe fire from 
the batteries commanding the road, they steadily 
advanced, crossing several bridges, until their 
progress was arrested by the Salkehatchie, an un- 
fordable stream, on which the bridge had been de- 
stroyed by the enemy. 

They were then ordered to shelter in the swamp 
on each side of the road, where companies were 
deployed, and advanced slowly through mud and 
water, waist deep, to the bank of the river, on 
which they retained position for several hours, 
keeping up a steady fire on the rebels in front 
until relieved in the evening, when they moved to 
the rear and encamped, having sustained a loss of 
three killed and five wounded during the day. The 
night was occupied by the pioneers, assisted by 
details from the regiment, in opening a way 
through the swamp and timber on the left of the 
road, "and on the 3d of February the regiment 
formed in line, and advancing over very difficult 
oroimd, had obtained position within a short dis- 
tance of the rebel works, when the enemy aban- 
doned the post. 



138 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

The forward movement was resumed on the 6th 
of February, and crossing several swamps where 
it was necessary to "corduroy" the road, and re- 
moving obstructions as they advanced, the regi- 
ment on the Sth struck the Charleston and Au- 
gusta Railroad at Midway, seventy -two miles from 
Charleston. Having spent the day in the destruc- 
tion of the railroad near this point, they marched 
on the 9th of February to the south branch of the 
Edisto River, where the enenn T appeared in force. 

"The Second brigade, about noon, was ordered 
forward, moved out to the bank of the stream, 
which they crossed on pontoons, and advanced 
through the swamp in mud and water, waist deep, 
upwards of half a mile, when they formed in line 
and charged the works, dislodging the enemy, who 
abandoned the post and position. They were sub- 
sequently ordered to erect works on each side of 
the battery, and the men and officers, much fa- 
tigued, spent most of the night in drying their 
clothes."* 

The 10th of February was occupied in crossing 
the teams and material; the brigade was ordered 
out on a reconnoissance, and having marched five 
miles returned to camp. On the following day 
they passed through Roberts' Swamp and en- 
camped within five miles of Orangeburg, seven- 
teen miles from Branchville, on the Columbia 

* Official report. 



RECRUITS A REGIMENT. 139 

Railroad. On the 12th the left wing, under com- 
mand of Major Joslin, was ordered on a foraging 
expedition, and during its absence the right wing- 
moved to the support of the Third and Fourth di- 
visions of the corps, then engaged with the enemy. 
At ten in the evening the regiment moved for- 
ward, passed through Orangeburg, which had 
been captured by our troops, and encamped two 
miles from the town. On the 13th they were oc- 
cupied in the construction of the Columbia Rail- 
road, encamping near Lewisville. The march was 
continued on the following day, and on the 15th 
of February they moved towards the Congaree 
Ri^er, within four miles of which stream their 
course was changed to the left, the regiment on 
the 16th going into camp in sight of Columbia, on 
the ground previously occupied by our prisoners 
in rebel hands. 

They crossed the Saluda River on the 17th of 
February on pontoons, and moving thence on the 
left to Bush River, encamped in the woods until 
four in the afternoon, when they marched to and 
crossed Broad River, encamping near the railroad 
in the suburbs of Columbia. Next morning they 
were ordered to destroy the railroad, and the 
brigade having been appointed provost guard, 
they returned late in the evening to Columbia, 
where they were occupied in provost duty until 
the 20th of February, when the march was re- 
sumed. 



140 JEREMIAH M. R USE. 

Proceeding northward, on the line of the Char- 
lotte and South Carolina Railroad, which was de- 
stroyed as they advanced, they passed through 
Winsboro on the 22d of February, and changing 
the route to the eastward, they crossed the 
Wateree River on the evening of the 23d, and biv- 
ouacked next day near Liberty Hill. They crossed 
Lynch's Creeks on the 26th and the following day, 
and on the 2Sth the regiment, detached from the 
brigade, was ordered to take possession of Wilkes' 
Mills, in the forks of Juniper Creek, and grind 
corn for the division, in which they were employed 
until the 3d of March, when they rejoined the bri- 
gade, and marching with the supply train, crossed 
Thompson's Creek and encamped at Cheraw, the 
terminus of the Cheraw and Darlington Railroad. 
Here the brigade was assigned to duty as provost 
guard. 

The regiment left Cheraw on the 5th of March, 
crossed the Great Pedee River in the afternoon, 
and passing through Bennetville next day, en- 
tered North Carolina on the 8th, the regiment, as 
they advanced, corduroying the roads, which for 
a great distance lay through swamps and timber. 
On the 11th they passed through Fayetteville, 
N. C, and over the bridge on Rockfisk Creek, near 
which they remained in camp until the 13th, when 
they crossed Cape Fear River on pontoons, and 
participated in a slight skirmish with the enemy 
near the river. 



RECRUITS A REGIMENT. 141 

Resuming the march on the 15th, they passed 
through Blockersville to South River, where a 
body of rebels was stationed in charge of the 
bridge, and ready to burn it upon an attempt to 
cross. A regiment each of cavalry and infantry 
was quietly formed, and supported by three regi- 
ments of infantry, including the Twenty-fifth Wis- 
consin, charged and routed the enemy, and cross- 
ing through a swamp, bivouacked for the night, 
protecting the passage of the trains. 

Passing through Brockersville on the 17th of 
March, they proceeded by way of Clinton in a 
northerly direction towards Dudley, and on the 
20th, when moving with the brigade in rear of the 
train as guard, were ordered forward to join Ma- 
jor General Howard at a point on the Goldsboro 
and Fayetteville Road. Accompanying the bri- 
gade, they moved forward on the flank of the train 
to the point designated, where, after an hour's 
rest, they took position in rear of the Thirty-sec- 
ond Wisconsin as support to a charge made 
against the enemy's works defending Goldsboro, 
which were carried and occupied by our forces. 
The regiment at dusk moved a short distance to 
the rear and bivouacked for the night. 

On the 21st of March they moved in rear of the 
train, and on arriving on the right of our line the 
regiment was ordered to support the Third Michi- 
gan battery. Companies A, F and G were de- 
ployed as skirmishers, with one company in re- 



142 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

serve covering the bridge over Falling Creek; the 
remainder of the regiment supporting the battery 
and guarding the train. During the engagement 
one man was wounded. Early next morning they 
marched into and occupied the rebel works, which 
had been evacuated before daylight. Here they 
were joined by the other regiments of the brigade, 
and advancing on the 23d, they crossed the Neuse 
River next day and passed through Goldbsoro, at 
the intersection of the Wilmington and Weldon, 
and North Carolina Railroads. 

The Twenty-fifth established camp within four 
miles of the city, where they remained, occupied 
in various duties, until the 10th of April, when 
they were again put in motion. Marching in the 
general direction of the North Carolina Railroad, 
by way of Boon Hill and Smithfield, they crossed 
the Neuse River and entered Raleigh on the 14th 
of April, encamping within one mile of the city, 
which is situated near the Neuse River, at the 
junction of the Raleigh and Gaston with the 
North Carolina Railroad. In the movement 
against General Johnston's forces they had ad- 
vanced on the 15th a short distance from the city, 
when intelligence was received that the rebel 
army had surrendered. They thereupon returned 
to camp near Raleigh, where the regiment re- 
mained, furnishing occasional details for guard 
and patrol duty, until news was received of the 
President's disapproval of the terms of surrender. 



RECRUITS A REGIMENT. 143 

On the renewal of hostilities the regiment, on 
the 25th of April, marched ten miles to Jones' 
Cross Koads, and General Johnston, having next 
day accepted the proposed terms of surrender, 
they returned on the 27th to camp near Raleigh, 
where preparations were made for the homeward 
march to Washington. 

On the 29th of April they set out from Raleigh, 
and crossing Crabtree Creek and Neuse River, en- 
camped in the woods ten miles from the city, 
where they rested during the next day (Sunday), 
in accordance with the instructions of Major Gen- 
eral Howard. 

The march homeward was resumed on the 1st 
of May. Passing through Forestville, on the Ra- 
leigh and Gaston Railroad, they crossed the Tar 
River next day, and proceeding northward by way 
of Ridgeway and Warrenton, they crossed the Ro- 
anoke and Meherin Rivers on the 5th of May, en- 
camping on the Boydton plank road, in Virginia. 
They crossed the Nottoway River on the Gth, and 
proceeding on the following day, by way of Din- 
widdie Court House, to the canal near the Dan- 
ville Railroad, three miles from Petersburg, they 
passed through that city in review on the 8th, and 
crossing the Appomattox River, encamped on the 
road two miles from Petersburg. 

On the 9th of May the regiment, taking the ad- 
vance of the brigade, took the road to Manchester, 
near which place they encamped in the evening, 



1 4 1 JEEEMIA II M. B USK. 

remaining until the 12th, when they crossed the 
James River to Richmond, and passing through 
the city, encamped on the evening of the 13th near 
Hanover Court House. They marched through 
Chesterfield on the following day, and having ad- 
vanced sixteen miles, encamped near Hancock 
Junction. 

They crossed the Mat, Ta and Po Rivers on the 
15th of May, and the Ny River on the following 
day, when they passed in review through Freder- 
icksburg before Major-General Sherman, and 
crossing the Rappahannock at that place pressed 
forward a distance of ten miles from the city, 
and bivouacked for the night. Proceeding on 
the 17th by way of Stafford Springs, they forded 
the Occoquan River on the following day, and 
crossed Acquia Creek on the 19th, went into 
camp four miles from Alexandria, remaining until 
the 23d, when they marched through Alexandria, 
and encamped a short distance from the city, on 
the bank of the Potomac. 

On the 21th of May they crossed the Potomac 
River to Washington, where they participated in 
the Grand Review of General Sherman's army, 
after which they went into camp at Crystal 
Springs, four miles from the national capitol. 

Here the regiment remained until the Tth of 
June, when they were mustered out of service and 
set out for home. They arrived on the 11th of 
June, 1S65, at Madison, Wisconsin, where they 



RECRUITS A REGIMENT. 145 

were shortly afterwards paid and formally dis- 
banded. 

At the close of the war the following report, 
among others, was made by General Rusk to the 
Adjutant: 



RECAPITULATION OF BATTLES, ACTIONS, OR EN 

GAGEMENTS IN WHICH THE 25th WIS. INFTY. 

VOLS. HAS TAKEN PART DURING 

THE WAR. 

Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., from June 7 to July 
4, 1863. 

Decatur, Alabama, April 17, 1864. 

Resaca, Ga., May 13 to 15, 1864. 

Dallas, Ga., May 27 to 31, 1864. 

Big Shanty, Ga., June 15, 1864. 

Kenesaw T Mountain, Ga., June 15 to 22, 1864. 

Nickajack, Ga., July 4, 1864. 

Chattahoochee River, south of Atlanta, Ga., 
July 9, 1864. 

Battle of July 22 and 28, before Atlanta, Ga. 

Siege before Atlanta, on the front line, from 
July 31 to August 26, 1864. 

Jonesboro, Ga., August 31, 1864. 

Snake Creek Gap, October 15, 1864. 

Before Savannah, Ga., December 11, 1864. 

Rivers Bridge, S. C, February 2, 1865. 

South Branch of Edisto River, S. C, February 
9, 1S65. 
10 



146 JEREM1A H M. B USK. 

Bentonville, N. C, March 21, 1865. 

Many other places of less note are not men- 
tioned, but were consequent upon the exigencies 
of the service, the regiment having been with Ma- 
jor-General Sherman during the whole of his great 
campaigns from February 1st, 1864, to the close 
of the rebellion, a fact, we believe, which no other 
regiment, as a complete organization, can put on 
record. 

Respectfully submitted, 

J. M. Rusk, 

Lt. Colonel, commanding 25th Wis. Infty. Vols. 

John Fitzgerald, 

Adjutant. 

The regiment's mortality list is thus summar- 
ized in the official records: 

1 officer and 30 enlisted men killed in action. 

2 officers and 20 enlisted men died of wounds. 

3 men drowned. 

1 man died by accident (shot). 

7 officers and 407 men died of disease. 

A total of 471. 

This was the largest death roll of any regiment 
that left the state. 

For the splendid discipline maintained by Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Rusk, who commanded the regi- 
ment on its long and arduous march, in February, 
1864, from Vicksburg to Meridian, Miss., where it 



RECRUITS A REGIMENT. 147 

joined the forces of Gen. Sherman and engaged in 
the celebrated Meridian campaign; for not losing 
one man from straggling or inattention upon that 
march; and for his soldierly qualities in general, 
as then manifested, he was complimented in gen- 
eral orders. 



148 JEREMIAH M. B USE. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

RUSK'S BRAVERY IN BATTLE. 

Col. Rusk was brevetted Brigadier General for 
conspicuous gallantry in the fight at the crossing 
of the Salkehatchie River, in South Carolina, in 
February, 1865, and his highly creditable be- 
havior on that occasion deserves to be given in 
detail. 

Gen. Mower commanded the division in which 
was the regiment commanded by Rusk. The di- 
vision was moving north from Beaufort directly 
toward the river, while the remainder of Sher- 
man's army was converging toward the same 
point. Where the crossing had to be made the 
enemy was in strong force on the other side, and 
defending the crossing with a heavy infantry 
column and batteries of artillery. The only ap- 
proach to the ford was along a narrow road 
through a swamp, which was then covered with 
water too deep to permit the movement through 
it of cavalry or heavy guns. It was a position al- 
most as strongly protected and as difficult of cap- 
ture as the celebrated bridge of Lodi. 

There was a race among all the divisions to first 



B USK> S BBA VEB Y IN BA TTLE. 149 

reach the crossing, and on the morning, just be- 
fore the point was within attacking distance, 
Mower's division was in the lead, and the brigade 
in advance of the division was that to which 
Rusk's command was attached. Mower rode up 
with his staff, and could not find the commander 
of the brigade. He inquired of Col. Rusk where 
that officer was, to which the Colonel replied that 
he did not know, but that he was ready to move 
at once. Mower replied that he could not wait 
for the return of the commanding officer, but 
would move another brigade. Rusk was indig- 
nant that he should be ignored. "I did not wish," 
he said, "to be cheated out of the lead." Going up 
to Mower, he said: "General Mower, I protest 
against being left behind, because it is not my 
fault that the officer is absent. I want the ad- 
vance." Mower, however, would not listen; he 
went away, ordered the division forward, and put 
the other brigade in the advance. 

Later Mower seems to have recalled the protest. 
He found the route to the crossing an embarrass- 
ing one; whereupon he said to one of his staff offi- 
cers, Capt. de Brasse: "Bring up that colonel 
who objected to remaining behind, and we'll give 
him a taste of what he's yearning for." Rusk re- 
ceived the order from the aid, rode up to Mower, 
and asked him if he had any orders. 

"None," he said; "drop right down there" (point- 
ing to the crossing), "throw your men in and clear 



150 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

that road. I wish to get to the river. If you 
don't do it right I'll know it. That's all, now go!" 
Rusk got his command in position, and charged 
down the narrow causeway leading to the ford, 
and swept by the shell and musketry of the en- 
emy. His men were cut down in dozens, but they 
persevered and gained the position after a des- 
perate contest. In the charge a shell cut the 
brow-band of the bridle of the colonel's horse, 
which fell to the ground and threw the rider over 
his head. He scrambled to his feet, and, although 
considerably bruised, headed the column on foot. 
The same shell took off the head of his bugler and 
killed two other men who were immediately be- 
hind him. The tremendous cannonade demoral- 
ized the staff of Mower, who were following in the 
rear of Rusk's column, and they took cover by 
leaving the causeway and taking refuge in the 
swamp, but finding that route impassable with 
horses, they were obliged to dismount and make 
their way on foot. 

Col. Rusk carried the crossing. "I made a cross- 
ing," he says, "and was successful — as I thought, 
very successful. I reported back to Mower, who 
ordered another brigade in to relieve us, and then 
we went back into camp." 

He had scarcely reached camp when a messen- 
ger from Mower ordered him to report to head- 
quarters. Rusk was nonplussed at the reception 
of this order, as he was not certain as to whether 



R USIF S BRA VER Y IN BA TTLE. 151 

he would be commended or reprimanded for what 
he had done. "I was in doubt," said he; "Mower 
used to get a little full at times, and I did not 
know what to expect." 

He "fixed up," and rode over to Mower's head- 
quarters. Col. Christianson was standing in front 
of Mower's tent as Rusk rode up, and offered to 
carry in any message which he wished to send. 
Rusk replied that he had been ordered to report 
to Mower, and must see him in person. Just then 
Mower from within the tent called: "Come in! 
Come in!" 

Col. Rusk pulled aside the flap of the tent, en- 
tered, and saluted the general. The latter glared 
at him for an instant, and then said: 

"Yes, sir; I sent for you. You are the only man 
in this army, or any other army that I ever saw, 
who could ride further into hell than Mower, and 
I want you to take a drink with me." 

"I thank you, but I can't do that, as I never 
drink." 

"You don't? Well, I should like to know how 
a man can ride so far into hell without taking a 
drink. Do you eat?" 

"Certainly I do, and would be glad to do so 
now, as I have not had a bite since morning." 

Mower ordered supper, and "always from that 
time on," said General Rusk, " he treated me with 
the greatest kindness and consideration up to the 
day of his death. I never asked anything from 



152 JEREMIAH M. R USE. 

him during the remainder of the service that I 
failed to get. The last time I met him was at the 
reunion in Louisville, shortly before he died." 

Upon the muster-out of the Twenty-fifth Regi- 
ment at Camp Randall, officers and men united 
in expressions of regard and esteem, and pre- 
sented the general with the following testi- 
monial: 

A CARD. 

American House, 
Madison, Wis., June 25, 1865. 

We, the undersigned officers of the 25th Wiscon- 
sin Infantry, hereby take this opportunity, upon 
the occasion of the disbanding of our military or- 
ganization, to profess our esteem and profound 
regard for Col. J. M. Rusk. We part from him 
feeling in our hearts that we have bid good bye 
to our leader, than whom there is not one more 
daring or gallant. 

Remembering that he led us through Georgia, 
down to the sea, through the swamps of the Caro- 
linas, ever mindful of our welfare, he stood by us 
to the last; our prayer is that he may be rewarded 
by the people of the State, and that his noble 
deeds be not forgotten by the authorities. Never 
despairing, but always hopeful, we remember how 
he performed his arduous duties during the dark 
days around and in front of Atlanta; and when 
his regiment was called into action, we always 



B USE? S BE A VEB Y IN BA TTLE. 15 3 

knew who was at its head. Asking nothing and 
receiving little, he stood by the regiment at all 
times, ever mindful of the interests of its officers 
and men. 

In parting with him our acknowledgment is, he 
is a gentleman, a hero and soldier. His deeds do 
show either of these. 

Thomas Harwoocl, Chaplain. 

John Fitzgerald, Lieutenant and Adjutant. 

Z. S. Swan, Captain. 

H. D. Farquharson, Captain. 

Charles A. Hunt, Captain. 

Rob Roy McGregor, Captain. 

Warren C. S. Barron, Captain. 

Edward E. Houstain, 1st Lieutenant. 

John R. Cannon, 1st Lieutenant. 

D. C, Hope, Quartermaster. 
John R. Casson, Captain. 
William A. Gott, Surgeon. 

E. B. Waggoner, 2d Lieutenant. 
Pleasant S. Pritchett, 2d Lieutenant. 
Warren G. Davis, 1st Lieutenant. 
Mortimer E. Leonard, Captain. 
John M. Shaw, Captain. 
Benjamin B. Gurley, Captain. 
Daniel M. Smaller, Captain. 

John T. Richards, 1st Lieutenant. 
Julius A. Parr, 1st Lieutenant. 
Oliver M. York, 2d Lieutenant. 
To Col. J M. Rusk. 



154 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

When Gen. Sprague was transferred to a differ- 
ent field, he wrote the following letter to General, 
then Colonel, Eusk. 



Headquarters 2d Brigade, 1st Div., 

17th Army Corps, Near 
Washington, D. C, May 29, 1865. 
Dear Colonel: — 

As I am ordered by the war department to a 
distant field, in a few hours I shall be compelled 
to take leave of my old command. In doing so I 
feel that I shall separate from very many that are 
very dear to me, made so by being associated with 
them in common toils and danger. I cannot leave 
you, Colonel, without expressing my thanks for 
that hearty support and co-operation which has 
ever characterized your actions and bearing in the 
field. You have been very much in command of 
your regiment, it has won a proud name, second 
to none that I know in our armies. You, by your 
faithful and untiring efforts, have contributed 
largely to this. You are entitled to, and I hope 
will receive, the generous thanks of the executive 
and the people of your State, for your faithfulness 
to the troops entrusted to your care. The able 
manner in which you have discharged every duty 
in the field entitles you to the gratitude of all who 
love the cause in which you have served so well. 



R US IP S BRA VER Y IN BA TTLE. 1 5 5 

Please accept, Colonel, my sincere wishes for 
your prosperity and happiness. 

Your friend, 

J. W. Sprague, 
Brigadier General. 
To Col J. M. Rusk, 2oth Wisconsin Volunteers. 



His command was in the 17th Army Corps, un- 
der General McPherson, and at the battle of the 
22d of July, when McPherson fell, Col. Rusk was 
in command at the front. Once during this fight 
he was cut off from his command and surrounded 
by Confederate soldiers, armed with saber bayo- 
nets. One of the soldiers seized the bridle of his 
horse, another one his sword, and he was ordered 
to surrender; but drawing his pistol he shot the 
man at the bridle and, putting spurs to his horse, 
broke through his assailants and escaped with 
only a slight wound and the loss of his horse, 
which was riddled by bullets from the Confed- 
erates. 



156 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

RETURN FROM THE WAR — PROMPT RECOGNITION OF 
HIS SERVICES BY THE PEOPLE. 

Upon the close of the war, General Rusk re- 
turned to his home at Viroqua, Wisconsin, and re- 
sumed the peaceful pursuits he had given up to 
serve his country. In a little less than two months 
after his return home, the Republicans of Wiscon- 
sin, in convention assembled, nominated him for 
State Bank Comptroller, and he was triumphantly 
elected in the following November. In 1867 he 
was renominated, and at the ensuing election re- 
elected. At the close of his second term as State 
Bank Comptroller the office was abolished, Gen. 
Rusk having closed out all of the old banks, which 
had given way to the new national currency. Dur- 
ing his incumbency of this office he was distin- 
guished for thoroughness in business matters, and 
for a sturdy determination to do what in his ex- 
cellent judgment was for the best interests of the 
people. 

During General Rusk's four years' residence 
at the capital of the state, he formed a very wide 



RETURN FROM THE WAR. 157 

acquaintance, especially among the soldier ele- 
ment, and became one of the most popular citi- 
zens of the state. During his term of service as 
Bank Comptroller his keen grasp of public af- 
fairs became so apparent to every one having 
business with his office that prophesies were 
freely made that he was destined to go still 
higher politically. When it became known that 
Cadwallader C. Washburn was to retire from 
Congress as the member from the Sixth Congres- 
sional District, General Husk's name was more 
freely mentioned than that of any other, as his 
successor. Upon his retirement from the Bank 
Comptroller's office, in January, 1870, General 
Eusk returned to his farm. 



158 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

ELECTED TO CONGRESS. 

In August, 1870, Gen. Rusk was induced to 
become a candidate before the Republican con- 
vention for Member of Congress in the Sixth Dis- 
trict. His competitors for this nomination were 
Hon. William T. Price of Black River Falls, and 
Hon. John T. Kingston of Necedah. This district 
had been represented for three terms with signal 
ability by Cadwallader C. Washburn, who was 
afterward Governor. At this time the district in- 
cluded nearly one-half of the territory of the 
State, many parts of it, however, being sparsely 
settled. It embraced twenty-four counties, and 
extended from the Wisconsin river on the south 
and east to the Mississippi river on the west, and 
to Lake Superior on the north. To become ac- 
quainted with and to protect the diversified in- 
terests of this great district necessarily required 
great labor and ceaseless care. To these inter- 
ests Gen. Rusk gave his undivided time and at- 
tention, and so well did he fulfill the trust placed 
in his hands that two years later he was renomi- 
nated by acclamation. 

An incident in his first canvass furnishes as 



ELECTED TO CONGBESS. 159 

clear an indication of the character of the man 
as would a long analysis. It chanced that in a 
neighboring county an influential farmer had ex- 
pressed himself as "against Jerry Rusk for Con- 
gress," and it was quite important that he should 
be converted; so in company with a friend Gen. 
Rusk drove to see the objecting elector, and found 
the farmer busy at the "cylinder end" of a 
thresher. On the way out it had been agreed 
that Mr. Rusk should say little or nothing but 
let the friend do the talking. To take the farmer 
from "feeding" would be to make trouble all along 
the line, and indeed at first he was not disposed 
to come down to listen to the arguments of the 
mutual friend. Mr. Rusk quickly took in the 
situation and said, "I'll feed while you talk;" and 
to the surprise of the crew he stepped on the plat- 
form, and shedding his coat and pushing his 
stove-pipe hat well back on his head he gave the 
nod to the driver, who hurried the horses until 
everything hummed. The band-cutter slashed 
viciously at the rapidly pitched sheaves and 
pushed them on to the self-appointed feeder, 
whose ponderous body swayed slowly from side 
to side as the golden straw, evenly shaken out, 
fairly shot into the invisible jaws of the machine. 
The stackers were in danger of being "strawed 
under;" all were astonished, and the recalcitrant 
farmer fairly awe-struck. Every man of the force 
was working like a beaver, while the "sing" of 



160 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

the cylinder told that the straw was flowing in 
as smoothly as the waters of a meadow brook. 
All talk between the friend and farmer soon 
ceased, the latter looking on with open-mouthed 
astonishment. Suddenly he exclaimed, "You 
needn't say another word; Pm in for any man who 
can feed a threshing machine like that." 

In 1S72, under the decennial census of 1870, a 
re-districting of the State was made, and the 
lines of the old Sixth Congressional District dis- 
appeared, Vernon County being placed in the 
new Seventh District. So strongly had Gen. 
Rusk's record commended itself to the people 
that no candidate appeared in the field against 
him for the nomination, and he was triumphantly 
elected in the following November. 

In the Forty-third Congress Gen. Husk was 
Chairman of the Committee on Invalid Pensions, 
and also a member of the Committee on Mines 
and Mining. Many of the very liberal pension 
laws inuring to the benefit of the Union soldiers 
may be accredited to his work in their behalf, and 
his labors on this committee gave him an ac- 
quaintance with the veteran soldiers of the whole 
country. 

In 1874 he was again nominated for Congress, 
and re-elected by nearly 4,000 majority. It will 
be remembered that at the time of this election 
the country was swept by a Democratic tidal 



ELECTED TO CONGRESS. 161 

wave. Among the congratulatory telegrams re- 
ceived by Gen. Rusk was the following: 

"God bless you, honest old Jerry Rusk. I am 
glad the tidal wave did not submerge you. — 
James G. Blaine." 

Although this congress was Democratic, and 
presumably on account of his services on the In- 
valid Pensions Committee, he was made a mem- 
ber of that committee, and was also placed on the 
Committee on Agriculture. His service in Con- 
gress was marked by a strict attention 1o details. 
It was very rarely that he made any attempt to 
speak upon any of the questions before the House, 
but his influence with the leading members of the 
three Congresses in which he served enabled him 
to protect every interest of his constituents, and 
to succeed in procuring for his district that to 
which he felt they were entitled. His only speech 
delivered during his service in the House was 
upon "The Tariff and Its Relations to Agricul- 
ture." This speech was printed and circulated all 
over the country as a campaign document during 
the campaign of 1S7G, when Rutherford B. Hayes 
was the Republican candidate for President. 

In the campaign of 1876 General Rusk was the 
member of the Republican National Congres- 
sional Committee for the State of Wisconsin, 
which committee was presided over by the Hon- 
orable Zach. Chandler, of Michigan. It became 
the du+v of this committee to have charge of the 
11 



162 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

electoral count and to look after the interests of 
the Republican party, in protecting the interests 
of General Hayes. General Busk devoted great 
attention to the details of this work and was con- 
sidered by Senator Chandler his most valuable 
ally. 

Gen. Busk retired from Congress on the 4th day 
of March, 1877, and immediately returned to his 
home in Viroqua, where, after resting from his 
labors for a short time, in company with Wm. F. 
Lindemann, he organized the Bank of Viroqua, 
with which he was connected up to the time of 
his death. Nearly all of his time was devoted 
to the cultivation of his fine farm near his home, 
and he soon made it a model farm. 

He was instrumental in procuring the construc- 
tion of the Viroqua branch of the Milwaukee and 
St. Paul road. Ever since the settlement of the 
county the farmers of Vernon had been obliged 
to haul their products long distances, to Sparta, 
La Crosse and the Mississippi river for market. 
Efforts to procure a railroad had been made for 
years without avail. As soon as Gen. Busk had 
the leisure to turn his undivided attention to this, 
success crowned his efforts, and the people of 
Viroqua were given an outlet. 



DELEGATE TO NATIONAL CONVENTION. 163 



CHAPTER XX. 

DELEGATE TO THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CON- 
VENTION— GARFIELD AND CONKLING — 
AN ALL NIGHT INTERVIEW WITH 
PRESIDENT GARFIELD. 

In 1880 General Rusk was elected a delegate to 
represent the Seventh Congressional District of 
Wisconsin in the Republican National Conven- 
tion, and was one of the nine delegates who voted 
for Elihu B. Washburn for President until the 
break came to Garfield. Gen. Rusk was instru- 
mental in causing this. His wide acquaintance 
acquired while he was in Congress enabled him 
to play a very prominent part in bringing Gen. 
Garfield's nomination about. 

After Garfield's inauguration, upon his per- 
sonal invitation, Gen. Rusk visited Washington. 
This was the time of the impending trouble in the 
Republican ranks which culminated in the resig- 
nation of Roscoe Conkling and Thomas C. Piatt 
as United States Senators from New York. The 
night before Gen. Rusk left Washington for home 
he sat up all night with Garfield at the White 
House, and discussed the situation thoroughly. 



164 JEREMIAH M. E USE. 

The President talked with him very frankly; told 
him of Blaine's desire to have Robertson ap- 
pointed Collector of the Port of New York, and of 
his disposition to please Mr. Blaine. Gen. Rusk 
was an intense admirer of Mr. Blaine, but he 
was above all a party man, and here it may be 
said that there never was a time during his po- 
litical career when he was not willing to see the 
ambitions of a friend sacrificed to the interests of 
the Republican party. He urged upon President 
Garfield the injustice of doing anything to offend 
Mr. Conkling, and reminded him of the fact that 
when the Republican leaders were in doubt as to 
success, in the campaign of the year before, Gen. 
Grant and Mr. Conkling took the stump, thereby 
insuring his election. He left the president with 
the promise, at least implied, that nothing should 
be done to offend ex-President Grant and Mr. 
Conkling in this matter, but it- seems the Presi- 
dent was afterward persuaded to make the ap- 
pointments which resulted in such serious dissen- 
sions within the party. 

Mr. Conkling, it seems, became aware of this 
conversation, for seven years afterwards he ex 
pressed the opinion in New York that there was 
no man in the United States so well qualified to 
heal up all factional feeling in the Republican 
party as Gen. Rusk, and that he believed he was 
the most available man in the United States for 
the presidency. He also intimated to a friend 



DELEGATE TO NATIONAL CONVENTION. 165 

that if he were permitted to be a delegate to the 
National Convention of 1888 he would present 
Gen. Busk's name to that convention. Mr. Conk- 
ling, it will be remembered, died before the con- 
vention. 

President Garfield held the friend of his boy- 
hood in high esteem, and without first consulting 
him in regard thereto sent the General's name to 
the Senate as Minister to Paraguay and Uruguay, 
a nomination which was unanimously confirmed, 
but which was as promptly declined by its recip- 
ient, somewhat to the surprise and disappoint- 
ment of the President. As a reminder from a 
man called upon to mechanically sign a great 
number of state documents daily, Garfield had 
written in one corner of the commission sent to 
General Rusk at the same time that the nomina- 
tion was given to the Senate — "Jerry, J. A. G." 
He had not affixed his signature in this instance 
without bestowing a thought upon the old days 
of their youth. Garfield also offered to his friend 
successively the posts of Minister to Denmark and 
Chief of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 
but both were declined. "I have something bet- 
ter in mind," said General Rusk; 'Til go home 
and run for Governor, and you'll see I'll be 
elected." And he was. 

This was in 1881. He returned to Wisconsin, 
advised with his friends, and became a candidate 
for the Republican nomination for Governor, and 



366 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

notwithstanding his campaign was of less than 
two months' duration, upon the assembling of the 
convention he received the nomination over a 
strong field of candidates. After a spirited and 
active campaign, in which every effort known to 
the opposition was exhausted, Gen. Rusk was 
elected by a majority of nearly 12,000, and was 
inaugurated on the first Monday in January fol- 
lowing. During this campaign General Husk de- 
fined his position upon the prohibition question 
in a letter to Hon. Edward Sanderson, Chairman 
of the Republican State Committee, as follows: 

"I am not unmindful of the evils which arise 
from the abuse of intoxicating drinks, but I be- 
lieve that the temperance reform, like all simi- 
lar reforms, is to be promoted by moral agencies, 
and not by the passage of laws which every can- 
did and intelligent person knows cannot and will 
not be enforced." 

Shortly after his inauguration he was con- 
fronted with a very perplexing problem brought 
about by the failure of the Chicago, Portage & 
Superior Railway, then in course of construction. 
The company had failed, owing 1,700 laborers for 
several months' work, and having practically no 
assets. 



THE RAILROAD TROUBLES. 167 



CHAPTER XXI. 

THE RAILROAD TROUBLES. 

It is advisable to give a brief history of the 
events leading up to this railroad trouble. 

The Wisconsin Legislature, in 1874, granted to 
the Chicago and Northwestern Pacific Air Line 
Railway Company a large tract of land, part of 
the original lands granted to the State by acts of 
Congress of June 3, 1S5G, and May 5, 1864, for the 
purpose of aiding the building of certain lines of 
railroad. The lands granted to the Air Line Rail- 
road Company were the lands that were set apart 
iu the original grant to aid in building a road from 
"St Croix river or lake" to the west end of Lake 
Superior and to Bayfield. The road from St. Croix 
river to Bayfield was being built by the North 
Wisconsin Railway Company, that company hav- 
ing received the lands applicable to the building 
of "that road. The Air Line company was trying 
to build the road from the west end of Lake Su- 
perior-Superior City-southward to a point of 
intersection with the North Wisconsin road in 
Burnett county, the point of intersection being 



168 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

known as Superior Junction. This company had 
received from the Legislature, as before stated, a 
grant of all the lands applicable to the building 
of a road from Lake Superior southward to the 
junction with the North Wisconsin road. In 
January, 1882, the Air Line company had about 
1,700 men working along its route, when suddenly 
it collapsed, being deeply in debt to sub-contract- 
ors and laborers. This collapse turned loose on 
the community in the winter time, 1,700 men, 
many of them far away from their homes and fam- 
ilies. Naturally, the men were desperate, and 
the citizens became alarmed. This was the con- 
dition of things on the 26th of January, 1882, and 
which called forth the following telegram: 

"Superior Junction, Jan. 26, 1882. 
"Gov. Rush, Madison: 

"The men on this end of the Portage and Su- 
perior road are taking everything within their 
reach. We are powerless to protect our property 
against 1,700 men, who have neither money nor 
means of subsistence. They threaten to burn 
houses and destroy everything here. We appeal 
to you for protection. Can you send relief? 

Walker, Judd & Veazie." 

It may be here stated that Walker, Judd & Vea- 
zie were prominent lumber men, located near Su- 
perior Junction and having extensive property in- 



THE RAILROAD TROUBLES. 169 

terests there; they were also the creditors to quite 
an amount of the Air Line company for supplies 
furnished. 

To that telegram the Governor at once replied, 
saying that the men needed bread, not bullets, 
and requesting Walker, Judd & Veazie to notify 
them that they must do no damage, and assure 
them that supplies would be sent at once and 
transportation furnished such of them as wanted 
to leave and find work in other localities. On the 
same day Walker, Judd & Veazie telegraphed 
back to the Governor that the men refused to 
leave without their pay; that they would have 
their pay before they left or they would burn the 
railroad bridges and destroy the track. They 
also requested the Governor to send up 200 armed 
men to protect property and preserve order. The 
Governor replied in substance that the men 
wanted bread— not bayonets! A great many tele- 
grams came to the Governor from different par- 
ties, showing a highly wrought state of feeling, 
and great fear that the men would resort to riot- 
ous proceedings. A bill had been introduced in 
the Legislature, and was then pending, to revoke 
the grant of lands to the Air Line company and 
confer it on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & 
Omaha Kailway Company. This bill had been in- 
troduced because the Air Line company had vir- 
tually forfeited its right to the grant in not build- 



170 JEREMIAH M. HUSK. 

ing the road within the limit of time specified in 
the grant. 

A happy thought struck the Governor. In re- 
voking the grant to the Air Line company and 
conferring it on the Omaha company, the Legis- 
lature had ample constitutional power to attach 
as a condition precedent to the grant the require- 
ment of full payment of the Air Line company's 
indebtedness to its laborers. The Legislature was 
not in session then, having adjourned over Sun- 
day a day or two before, and consequently Gov. 
Rusk could not communicate with it, but, keeping 
his own counsel, he sent a dispatch direct to the 
laborers, telling them that they must at all events 
maintain order and respect persons and property; 
that, the State would not permit any violation of 
the rights of persons or of property. He told them 
it was not wise for them to stay there expecting 
speedy payment from the Air Line company, and 
advised them to appoint a committee to look after 
their rights, and then go away and get work as 
quickly as they could. The Governor's sensible 
advice was followed. 

In a few days the Legislature reconvened, and 
the Governor at once sent in a special message 
giving a full and unvarnished history of the whole 
matter. He called especial attention to the fact 
that a great deal of expense had been incurred in 
feeding the men and furnishing transportation to 



THE RAILROAD TROUBLES. 171 

those who went away to seek work elsewhere, and 
he closed his message with these words: "I also 
venture to suggest that if the Legislature shall 
transfer the grant applicable to the road from Su- 
perior Junction to the west end of Lake Superior, 
to any company, it would be wise, under existing 
circumstances, to require such company to provide 
funds for the immediate payment of these labor- 
ers, and to reimburse the State for any expenses 
incurred in taking care of these men in this emer- 
gency. I feel constrained to urge upon the Legis- 
lature some prompt action in the premises." 

After the reading of the message to the Legis- 
lature, the attorney for the company seeking the 
land grant which had lapsed by the failure of the 
Chicago, Portage and Superior company called 
upon the Governor, desiring to know if he was to 
understand that any bill which did not provide for 
the payment of the laborers would fail to receive 
the executive approval. He was very plainly in- 
formed by the Governor that such was the fact — 
that he would certainly refuse to approve any bill 
which did not provide for their payment by any 
company receiving the grant. 

"These men," said the Governor, "are entitled to 
an equivalent for their labor. If the lands which 
the Legislature proposes to grant to another com- 
pany in aid of the construction of a road are of 
any value to the road, they can well afford to re- 
imburse these men for their labor." 



172 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

The Governor's suggestion was heeded, and on 
the 16th of February following he approved an 
act revoking the grant to the Air Line company, 
and conferring it on the Omaha company. This 
act provided that within three days after its pass- 
age the Omaha company should pay to the Gov- 
ernor the sum of $78,000, and give such security 
as the Governor should require, to fully indemnify 
and save harmless the State against all liability 
and expenses incurred in feeding the laborers, 
should the sum of $75,000, part of the $78,000 paid 
to the Governor, be inadequate to the full pay- 
ment of the laborers, and further provided that 
the company within thirty days after the passage 
of the act, should file with the Secretary of State 
their authenticated resolution of acceptance of 
the grant on the terms imposed by the Legisla- 
ture. The balance of the $78,000, being $3,000, 
was reserved to pay the expenses of the agent ap- 
pointed to adjust the claims of sub-contractors 
and laborers. The act further required the Gov- 
ernor to appoint an agent who should forthwith 
investigate and ascertain the amounts honestly 
and actually due for labor and supplies done and 
furnished prior to January 20, 1882, on the Air 
Line road. The Omaha company at once accepted 
the grant on the terms proposed, paid over to the 
Governor the $78,000, and gave the security re- 
quired by the act. 

Governor Rusk's action in this matter showed 



THE RAILROAD TROUBLES. 173 

liim to be the true friend of the laborer. His pos- 
itive and determined course procured for the men 
what was justly due them, and his timely action 
in their behalf was of more practical benefit to 
them than all the demagoguery and buncombe of 
the professional agitators who live off the work- 
ingmen could possibly have been. The real work- 
ingman can easily convince himself as to which 
is his best friend, the man who stands firm in se- 
curing to him his rights, or the one who would 
lead him into riots, and who subsists upon the 
hard earnings of the poor. 



174 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

HIS LABORS AS GOVERNOR — HUMANE ACTS. 

During Gen. Rusk's incumbency of the office a 
vast amount of additional labor was entailed 
upon the executive by the construction of the new 
transverse wings of the Capitol, and by other re- 
quirements made by the Legislature. So great 
was the confidence reposed in him that new trusts 
were continually placed in his hands by each suc- 
ceeding Legislature. 

In 1882 an act was passed which permitted con- 
stables and police officers to arrest any man with- 
out a home and confine him in jail. This act Gen. 
Rusk regarded as barbarous and contrary to good 
public policy, and he very emphatically placed his 
seal of condemnation upon it in a veto message. 
His action in this regard attracted the attention 
of the whole country, and drew forth much favor- 
able comment even from those politically opposed 
to him. In speaking of this veto message, the 
Chicago Herald, then the leading Democratic pa- 
per of the West, had this to say: 

"Wisconsin's legislators have outdone them- 



HIS LABORS AS GOVERNOR. 175 

selves at last in their barbarous desire to crucify 
a man because he is poor, and the Governor has 
brought them up with a round turn by the use of 
the veto. Never was the Executive power more 
righteously employed. 

"Several years ago a tramp law was enacted in 
Wisconsin, which permitted constables and police 
officers to arrest every man who had no home, no 
employment and no money, and confine him in 
jail. Under this act a man out of work, who could 
not afford to pay railroad fare, and who took the 
highways in his travels, was liable to summary 
arrest and imprisonment. Zealous officials, anx- 
ious for fees, seized everybody who could not show 
a bank account, and, as the law was specific, pun- 
ishment was inevitable after the complaint was 
made. Of course many worthless vagrants were 
apprehended, some of them criminals, doubtless, 
but hundreds of honest men were also subjected 
to arrest and imprisonment for no other reason 
than that they were destitute. The taxpayers at 
length found this policy an expensive one, and it 
was abandoned. 

"At the beginning of the present session of the 
Legislature a bill was introduced reviving the old 
tramp law, and catering to the economical in- 
stincts of the people by providing that every of- 
fender be confined in the Count}^ Jail on a diet of 
bread and water for ninety days. It seems to 
have passed without much objection, but the Gov- 



176 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

ernor of the State, Jeremiah M. Busk, who was 
once a penniless working-man himself, had the hu- 
manity to veto it and pronounce it cruel and un- 
usual. He has merited the praise of all men for 
his good sense, and the legislators who have de- 
served his rebuke ought to be execrated every- 
where. The glibness with which men assuming 
to make laws disregard the first principles of lib- 
erty shows that thousands of people are not fit for 
freedom, and would themselves vote it away if 
some strong hand did not interpose to save them 
from their own stupid folly." 

The full text of the Governor's message vetoing 
the bill is as follows: 

State of Wisconsin, 

"Executive Department, 
"Madison, April 6, 1885. 
"To the Honorable the Assembly. 

"I return herewith assembly bill No. 323, en- 
titled 'An Act in relation to the punishment of 
vagrants, and amendatory of section 1546, Re- 
vised Statutes,' with my objections thereto. 

"This bill, should it become a law, would au- 
thorize any justice of the peace, before whom any 
person was convicted of vagrancy, to sentence 
such offender to be imprisoned in the county jail 
of the county not exceeding ninety days, and 'lim- 
ited to a diet of bread and water only for any or 
all of said time.' By section 4726 of the Revised 



HIS LABORS AS GOVERNOR. 177 

Statutes, this class of offenders may also be sen- 
tenced to hard labor during their term of impris- 
onment. 

"Should a sentence then be enforced to the full 
extent of the law, it would be to imprisonment in 
the county jail for ninety days, at hard labor, and 
upon the diet of a prisoner, as a part of the execu- 
said time. I can not but believe that such a pun- 
ishment would be both 'cruel and unusual/ within 
that provision of the constitution which says 'no 
cruel and unusual punishment shall be inflicted. , 
"The only limit now recognized by the statutes 
upon the diet of a prisoner, as a part of the execu- 
tion of the sentence, is that prisoners serving time 
in state prison shall be dieted upon bread and 
water during their term of solitary confinement, 
but not exceeding twenty days at any one time. 
This term of solitary confinement is considered 
the severest part of the prisoner's sentence, and 
it is justly so because of the restricted diet. But 
vagrancy, if a crime at all, is not such an one as 
would justify a sentence so severe as the one al- 
lowed by the proposed bill. 

"I have been unable to find that vagabondage 
was ever punished in such a manner; and there 
are crimes which, during the times of terroristic 
statutes, were punishable by death, that have not 
now so severe a penalty. The bill was probably 
intended to scare the offenders from the State or 

keep them from the crime by the enormity of the 
10 



178 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

punishment. Wharton says: 'Terroristic penal- 
lies, viewing them in their crude shape, undertake 
to punish the offender, not merely for what he has 
actually done in the past, but for what others may 
do in the future. Terrorism treats the offender 
not as a person, but a thing; not as a responsible, 
self-determining and immortal being, to whom 
justice is to be distinctively meted, as a matter be- 
tween him and the state, but as an irresponsible 
block of matter, without a right to justice for him- 
self, or a claim for sympathy from others.' 

"Such laws have proven futile in all past gen- 
erations, and can not now, in this progressive and 
enlightened age, be revived without bringing op- 
probrium upon that 'diadem of humanity' which 
has been awarded this free republic. 

"J. M. Rusk, 

"Governor." 

In 1884 Governor Rusk was re-elected by an 
increased majority, receiving a much greater vote 
than Mr. Blaine, who was the Republican candi- 
date for President. He had at this time occupied 
the executive chair for three years, a constitu- 
tional amendment of the State having increased 
his term one year. It was during his second term 
as Governor, in May, 18S6, that he was confronted 
with the Milwaukee labor troubles which resulted 
in a formidable riot, still well remembered 
throughout the country. 



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THE MIL WA UKEE BIOTS OF 1886. 179 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE MILWAUKEE RIOTS OF 1886. 

Everybody remembers Governor Rusk's famous 
reply, "These men need bread — not bayonets," to 
the application of certain officials for troops to 
quell disorder among their laborers. He had 
promptly investigated the matter, ascertained 
that the men were simply clamoring for payment 
due them and of which they stood in sore need, 
and decided accordingly. 

"Justice to all" was the motto which inspired 
his whole career and led to the decision that so 
cheered the workingman and discomfited the em- 
ployer. It was a time when strikes were occur- 
ring all over the land, when violence was rife and 
when people still looked back with a shudder upon 
the widespread destruction of life and property 
that occurred during the railway riots of '77, and 
the bloodshed and mob fury that accompanied 
the destruction of the court house in Cincinnati. 
Mob violence time and again had gone unpun- 
ished. Mob rule had triumphed over the state 
troops, and had only been crushed by the disci- 



180 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

plined front of the regular army. What has hap- 
pened in Chicago and Pittsburg, Scranton and 
Cincinnati, Buffalo and Baltimore, can readily 
happen here in Milwaukee, said timid business 
men, for there is an element in our population 
that will feed the flame of riot. It will certainly 
happen in Milwaukee, said certain officials of 
great corporations, for here we have no troops ex- 
cept those recruited from among the masses, and 
our governor is avowedly in sympathy with the 
workingmen. 

And so he was. 

Abraham Lincoln, the greatest American that 
ever lived, used to say that "God must love the 
common people, he made so many of them," and 
Jeremiah Rusk was the friend of every man, high 
or low, rich or poor, asking of him only that he 
should be honest and law abiding. 

But people who thought Governor Rusk would 
side with the masses, right or wrong, little knew 
the stuff of which he was made. 

Old soldier that he was, devoted to his com- 
rades of the Grand Army of the Republic, our 
governor well knew that as years rolled by and 
times and tactics changed, a new and younger 
soldiery must be educated to take the places of 
the veterans so rapidly dropping from the rolls. 
He had not marked in vain the lessons of the 
strikes of '77. He had not failed to note that 
every such opportunity was seized upon by the 



THE MIL WA UKEE EIOTS OF 1886. 181 

criminal classes of the threatened communities 
to swell the ranks of the strikers and incite them 
to, and aid them in, the maddest acts of violence. 
He had been well satisfied as a result of his ob- 
servations that had the state troops been properly 
disciplined and properly led, there would have 
been no need for demanding national aid, and al- 
most from the opening of his administration in 
1SS2, Governor Rusk began his fostering care of 
the then infant National Guard. It was at the 
time only an agglomeration of militia companies, 
scattered over the state, few of them uniformed 
and still fewer drilled alike, but all, or nearly all, 
in imitation of the militia of the ante-bellum days, 
were dressed in swallow tailed coats and gilt 
braided trousers. He summoned to duty as chief 
of his staff the best organizer and most success- 
ful company commander the state had yet devel- 
oped, and bade General Chapman set to work on 
the long, uphill task, while to insure uniformity 
and precision in instruction, he called to his staff 
an officer of the regular army, Captain Charles 
King, a graduate of West Point who had had 
years of experience as instructor at the National 
Academy as well as among the troops in the field. 
Under Rusk's supervision the scattered companies 
were organized into battalions and regiments. At 
his entreaty the legislature, hitherto deaf to their 
needs, procured tentage for the state troops, and 
summer after summer the governor appeared 



182 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

with them in camp, a keen but kindly critic of 
their work and a constant inspiration to their best 
efforts. Like Lincoln, he had to do a vast amount 
of harmonizing among the officers, many of whom 
belonged to the old school and were fiercely in- 
tolerant of the teachings of the new. Like Lin- 
coln, too, he had to feel his way with his legis- 
lators; interest the people in these their future de- 
fer] ders, and so win for them the financial sup- 
port they needed. It was slow, patient, plodding 
work, but he persevered when younger officers 
grew wearied and impatient and "fell out." He 
never missed one of the annual conventions of the 
officers of the Guard, started as they were the first 
year of his administration, but was always on 
hand with counsel and encouragement, and one 
of these conventions, that of 1885, became mem- 
orable. 

By that lime the state had three good regi- 
ments of infantry, and, in the city of Milwaukee, 
a four company battalion with a troop of cavalry 
and battery of light artillery, the two latter ex- 
cellent commands, well officered and well 
"manned." There had been trouble in adjoining 
states. There had been a flutter at Eau Claire, 
and the adjutant general had assigned to the one 
West Point officer of the Guard — Capt. King, a 
man who had seen service against rioters in more 
than one section of the country — the duty of pre- 
paring a paper conveying instructions upon the 



THE JI1LWA VKEE RIOTS OF 1886. 183 

subject of riot duty to the officers of the conven- 
tion. It was held in the senate chamber at Madi- 
son, and among the interested listeners were Gov- 
ernor Rusk and General Fairchild. Among other 
points dwelt on by the lecturer was the necessity 
of having in writing the order (from the mayor, 
sheriff or other civil magnate to whom the troops 
might be ordered to report) in case firing upon the 
mob was necessary. Cases had occurred where, 
when the danger was imminent, such authority 
had been hastily and verbally given by the official 
and then denied when the deed was done. It was 
for self-protection that the officers were so cau- 
tioned, and this was the result: 

No sooner had the lecturer finished than right 
then and there arose the governor and com- 
mander-in-chief, six feet three in his stockings, 
with head, mane and beard like a gray lion, mas- 
sive and impressive, the biggest man of all the 
scores in the room. 

"Gentlemen," said he, in a voice that rang 
throughout the chamber, "I want to say one thing- 
right now. Of course the colonel is all right in 
his warning about the orders of mayors and sher- 
iffs and so on, but don't you worry about that! 
Whenever the time comes for you to tackle a mob 
in this state I'll be there as quick as you can, 
and you'll get your orders from me." 

"The applause that greeted him was deafen- 
ing," said an officer who was present, "but, could 



184 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

we have looked ahead a brace of years and saw 
how thoroughly that stalwart promise was to be 
redeemed, the dome of the capitol would have 
cracked with the uproar." 

As the spring of '86 wore on the signs of com- 
ing trouble were incessant. A concerted effort 
was to be made by the labor leaders all over the 
West to compel employers to reduce the number 
of working hours to eight, even while maintain- 
ing the day's wages on the ten hour basis. Aided 
by the anarchists and socialists of Chicago and 
Milwaukee, and fired by the speeches of dema- 
gogues and fanatics, hundreds of honest and 
hitherto law abiding men had been drawn into 
the turmoil. The governor, coolly watching the 
symptoms from his office at the capital, gave no 
sign. He had one horror, — that of being consid- 
ered an intimidator; but through his adjutant 
general and through a staff officer stationed in 
Milwaukee, he was kept constantly informed of 
what was going on in the metropolis. The latter 
officer had received instructions to watch the situ- 
ation closely. The disaffected workmen were 
nearly all foreigners and the days were few 
when this officer was not riding through the sec- 
tion of the city occupied by them and watching 
their meetings at night. The detectives were also 
on the alert and willingly gave him all the in- 
formation in their power; but up to within a few 
days of the great labor demonstration of Sunday, 



THE MILWA UKEE RIOTS OF 1886. 185 

May the 2d, tko principal officials of the city of 
Milwaukee seemed loath to believe that any 
breach of the peace was in contemplation. 

It was not until the night of Thursday, April 
29th, that the mayor called into consultation the 
staff officer of the Governor and informed him, — 
what he already knew, — that the second-hand 
shops and those of many of the cheap gunsmiths 
had been gutted of their supply of small arms, 
that the various societies of anarchists, socialists, 
etc., of the city had bought up all they had. 

And still the Governor gave no sign. He had, 
as has been said, a horror of appearing as an in- 
timidator, so much so that when some ten days 
before the trouble began it was officially reported 
to him that only three rounds per man of ball car- 
tridges were then on hand in the Milwaukee ar- 
mories he ordered a further supply, but had the 
little boxes, each holding its thousand rounds and 
weighing a hundred pounds, packed in innocent 
looking dry goods cases, marked blankets or over- 
coats or something of that kind, and sent orders 
to his staff officer to meet them at the Milwaukee 
railway station. There they were loaded on 
trucks and drays and drawn to the Light Horse 
Squadron Armory, unboxed and stowed in the 
vault, and only three men in Milwaukee were in 
the secret that thirty thousand rounds were then 
and there deposited ready for emergency. Report- 



136 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

ers were full of bustle and activity just then and 
eager to get everything or anything in the way of 
news or rumors affecting the preparations for the 
coming trouble, and these gentlemen the governor 
especially desired kept in ignorance. 

Illustrative of his sensitiveness on this point 
too, is the following: When inspecting a certain 
company in Milwaukee a short time previous, the 
staff officer found that a number of the rifles had 
broken firing pins, and so reported. The adjutant 
general wrote to the captain commanding to have 
the broken pins extracted and new ones inserted, 
just as he did to other captains in other parts of 
the state, but this happened to be a company com- 
mander who loved to see his name in print, and 
was perpetually giving semi-sensational points to 
reporters, and the next thing the Governor knew 
there appeared in the Milwaukee papers an item 
to the effect that Captain of such a com- 
pany, had just received orders from Madison to 
have all his rifles put in order for immediate 
active service, and this, coming just in the midst 
of the meetings of the various labor unions, etc., 
was of grievous consequence to the Governor. It 
was some time before either his adjutant general 
or the captain referred to heard the last of it. 

Along in mid April he came quietly to Milwau- 
kee, spending three or four days and consulting 
with various prominent citizens, who somehow 



THE MILWA VKEE RIOTS OF 1886. 187 

looked far less anxious after he left. Then he re- 
turned to Madison. 

On Saturday, May the 1st, the long projected 
strike began. Many organized bodies left their 
shops, but there was no disorder worth mention- 
ing. On Sunday, May 2d, led by Paul Grottkau 
and waving defiantly the red flags of anarchy, a 
great procession of socialists and anarchists 
marched unmolested through the principal streets 
of the city. Some of the divisions formed almost 
immediately under the windows of the police sta- 
tion and the armory of the Light Horse Squadron. 
A few policemen in the one, a dozen quiet looking 
men in civilian dress in the other, peered curiously 
out at the demonstration, but said nothing. Sun- 
day night there were excited meetings and 
speeches and Monday morning, May 3d, the row 
began in earnest. By noon a big mob had rushed 
all the workmen out of the shops of the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway in the Menominee 
valley, and the great iron works of the E. P. Allis 
Company had to shut down. Ugly demonstrations 
were made at the Bay View rolling mills and 
other points, and the news was flashed all over 
the state. In vain the mayor, sheriff and chief of 
police plead and expostulated. The strikers paid 
no attention, but went on with their work, driving 
workmen from their benches and howling in their 
mother tongue, "Eight hours," at the barred gates 
of the rolling mills. Neither mayor, sheriff nor 



188 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

marshal had sent for him, but at eight o'clock 
that evening Governor Busk was on his way on 
a special train, accompanied by his adjutant gen- 
eral; he had sent for his Milwaukee staff officer 
who was drilling the batterymen in the use of the 
carbine at the moment, and late that night there 
was held a most important conference in the 
rooms of Mr. Eoswell Miller, manager of the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, at 
the Plankinton Hotel. There were present the 
Governor, Mr. Manager Miller, the mayor, sheriff, 
Adjutant General Chapman and Colonel King, of 
the Governor's staff. The manager pointed out 
that all work was now at an end in his shops. He 
had appealed to the civil authorities for protec- 
tion, and they were powerless. The sheriff's posses 
were hustled aside without ceremony. He did 
not believe the sheriff or the mayor could control 
the mob, and urged that the situation be turned 
over to the governor. The governor was of sim- 
ilar opinion, but declined to act until they did 
turn over the situation. The conference broke up 
after midnight, Mr. Miller giving orders to his as- 
sistant to close up everything, as he would not 
subject his few remaining men to mob violence, 
and he knew that the sheriff could do nothing. 

And then came the eventful 4th of May. Early 
in the morning, in vastly augmented numbers, the 
strikers were at work driving would be contented 
men from their tools and closing up of necessity 



THE MILWA UKEE RIOTS OF 1886. 189 

one establishment after another. Again the sher- 
iff and his posses interposed, and were tossed 
aside like chaff. At eight o'clock he fled to the 
calmly waiting governor, and at 8:45 the riot 
alarm was sounding on the fire bells all over town 
and the local troops were hurrying to their ar- 
mories. True to his word, cool as a cucumber, 
fresh as a daisy, there in the headquarters room 
of the Light Horse Armory was our war horse of 
a commander-in-chief. The time had come to 
"tackle a mob" as he had said, and he was on 
hand, quick as the quickest of his men. 

Just as predicted, the great rolling mills at Bay 
View were the objective point of the mob on this 
day, and while General Chapman was telegraph- 
ing orders summoning the entire first regiment of 
infantry, covering the line of the St. Paul road 
from Racine and Whitewater to Darlington, by 
special train to the city, the four companies con- 
stituting the Fourth Battalion, stationed in Mil- 
waukee, were hurriedly bundled into the cars and 
sent under command of Major Traeumer, a vet- 
eran of the civil war, post haste to the rescue of 
the great plant at Bay View. The guns of the 
Light Battery were run down from their shed on 
Farwell avenue to the central armory, and the 
Light Horse, sixty strong, saddled and mounted 
to meet and escort arriving detachments from Ra- 
cine, Watertown and Madison, and, later, the 
companies from the southwestern part of the 



190 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

state. Meantime, the companies of the Second 
Regiment were held in readiness in their armories 
at Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Oshkosh, Appleton, 
Fond du Lac, etc., and the Governor received dep 
utations of excited citizens at the armory. Wars 
and rumors of wars came in all day. Owners of 
dozens of manufactories, elevators or shops 
wanted guards. Major Caldwell, of the First In- 
fantry, with two companies was hurried out to 
the car shops. Another small detachment was 
sent to the Allis works, and then came tidings 
from Bay View. The mob had hooted and stoned 
the Fourth Battalion, the Polish company espe- 
cially coming in for a hot time, and some few 
men of this then undisciplined organization, had 
turned and fired wildly over the heads of their 
assailants. By afternoon, however, the command 
was safely inside the gates and holding back the 
throng. 

That night on the south side and the west, at 
the Milwaukee gardens and assembly halls, fiery 
and furious speeches were made by prominent 
leaders of the strike. Especial venom was dis- 
played towards the Fourth Battalion at Bay 
View. Before midnight at the armory the Gov- 
ernor had the purport of all the speeches, and the 
item of greatest interest was that the Polonia As- 
sembly and a host of supporters had announced 
their intention of marching on Bay View in the 
morning and pitching the militia into the lake. 



THE MIL WA UKEE RIOTS OF 1SS6. 191 

The Governor grinned and ordered Companies 
"A" and "B," First Infantry, two stalwart Ameri- 
can commands from Janesville, to proceed to rein- 
force the Fourth Battalion which was being much 
badgered and bothered by the crowd still hanging 
about the works, who set fire to the freight cars, 
stoned the sentries and shouted direful prophesies 
of what would happen to them on the morrow. 
The two companies went down by train late at 
night, and meantime impetuous citizens from the 
south side had come up to see the Governor and 
in excited speech to declaim against the outrage 
committed by the troops in firing on peaceable 
and defenseless citizens. The Governor listened 
grimly, and then bade the emissaries go back and 
say to the peaceable and defenseless citizens that 
they would do well to keep away from the troops 
until the excitement was over, and furthermore 
gave them fair warning that if they proceeded to 
molest those troops in the morning, as he was in- 
formed was their intention, they could look for 
trouble. This time there would be no desultory 
firing over their heads. 

An excellent reason for believing that the Gov- 
ernor's warning was fully understood by the lead- 
ers and exciters of the violence on the south side 
is that those parties kept well to the rear and out 
of the way when, in the morning, they pushed 
their misguided fellow citizens forward to resume 
their attempt at Bay View. Just what they ex- 



192 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

pected to accomplish is to this day a mystery. 
That most of them were armed was proved by the 
police, and the fact that those captured — even to 
a school boy barely in his teens — had heavy re- 
volvers secreted about them. But, true to the 
threats of the night before and to the tidings sent 
the Governor early in the morning, towards nine 
o'clock on the 5th of May on they came, in solid 
column, covering the causeway across the flats, 
far as the eye could reach. The Governor was 
early at his post at the armory and close to the 
telephone. He had already given his instructions 
to Major Traeumer to receive them with a volley 
if they refused to halt at his demand. He had 
long since made up his mind that the true way, 
the most merciful and effective way to put a stop 
to mob violence was to hit it sharply at the start 
and end it then and there. Suddenly came the 
call from Bay View, "The mob's coming, sir, in 
full force." 

And back went the answer in the chiefs sten- 
torian tones, "Very well, sir. Fire on them." And 
two minutes later crashed the single volley that 
scattered the south side mob like so many sheep 
and practically blew the back bone out of anarchy 
in our midst. Not once again had trigger to be 
drawn during our riots. The luckless victims of 
demagogic oratory had learned that they had a 
Governor who could command and soldiers who 
would obey. That night while dozens of Chicago's 



THE MILWA VKEE RIOTS OF 1886. 



193 



police lay stiffening, or writhing in agony, victims 
of the cowardly bomb throwers of Haymarket, the 
leaders of the Milwaukee riots, gathered in by po- 
lice and guardsmen during the day, were lan- 
guishing behind the bars of the central station, 
and the mobs that had gathered at Milwaukee gar- 
den and defied and driven the civil officers of the 
law had given way before the solid ranks of the 
National Guard, awed even into respectful silence. 
The Milwaukee riots of May, 1886, were prac- 
tically ended with that one volley at Bay View. 
And while from all over the United States there 
came enthusiastic plaudits for the Governor, and 
for days he was deluged with telegrams, com- 
mendatory, congratulatory and full of predictions 
of honors yet in store for him, he never forgot the 
faithful and intelligent service of the men who 
had aided him in the work of preparation. The 
prompt "mobilization" of the First Regiment— 
whose most distant Company, "K," at Darlington, 
was in ranks and readiness one hour from the re- 
ception of the order — was rendered possible by 
the admirable system which General Chapman 
had introduced throughout the military establish- 
ment. Chapman knew every officer in the state, 
had gauged his character and qualifications and 
could unerringly select the best man for the work 
in hand, whatever it might be. He had wrought 
night and clay to place the Guard in readiness for 
service, to render it compact, coherent and dis- 



194 JEREMIAH 31. RUSK. 

ciplined. He was enthusiastically devoted to their 
best interests, and the Guardsmen were as enthu- 
siastically devoted to him. They looked up to 
him and believed on him before the May riots of 
'86, but after that he seemed to them infallible. To 
this day, officers who won their commission under 
his administration visit Madison as do the fol- 
lowers of the Prophet their Mecca, and the first 
thought seems to be to go in person and call upon 
their old leader now so sorely stricken in health, 
and it was good to see them crowd about him, 
when, during the encampment of the summer of 
'95, as the guest of his successor and old friend 
and associate, General King, he came to the Wis- 
consin Military Reservation to see the great im- 
provements that had been wrought from year to 
year in the Camp grounds that he had selected 
nearly a decade ago, and was mainly instrumental 
in securing for the use of the state. 

Governor Rusk was fortunate indeed in having 
the services of Captain Charles King, U. S. A., re- 
tired, as the active field commander of the State 
troops, and had a very keen appreciation of the in- 
valuable services rendered by this gallant officer. 



GOVERNOR'S ACTION COMMENDED. 195 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

COMMENDATION OF THE GOVERNOR'S COURSE IN 
UPHOLDING LAW AND ORDER. 

The action of Gov. Rusk in quelling the riots at 
Milwaukee, met with almost universal approval. 
At the time, and for several weeks after, Gov. 
Rusk received a very large number of letters from 
prominent men all over the country, regardless 
of party, endorsing his action in very strong 
terms. 

The following are only a few of the large num- 
ber received, but are indicative of the character of 
all: 

From Ex-Governor Salomon, of Wisconsin: 
New York, May 8, 1886. — My Dear Governor: 
Permit me to tender you my congratulations upon 
the prompt, sagacious, fearless and successful 
manner with which you have suppressed the An- 
archist outbreak in Milwaukee. * * * Your 
courage has saved the good name of Wisconsin, 
and the cause of civilization and good government 
everywhere owes you thanks. 

Very truly yours, 
Edward Salomon. 



196 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

From Ex-Governor Crittenden, of Missouri: 
Kansas City, Mo., May 10, 18S6.— My Dear Gov- 
ernor: I mail you today the Kansas City Journal, 
with some strong complimentary editorials about 
you. I think you deserve them. I endorse your 
course fully and unqualifiedly. I am for the su- 
premacy of the law at all times and under all cir- 
cumstances, and against mobocracy, anarchy, so- 
cialism, red republicanism and boycotting at all 
times, and under all circumstances. Your course 
reflects great honor upon your glorious State. 

Your friend, 
Thomas T. Crittenden. 

From B. L. Avers, New York: 
Union League Club, New York, May 8, 1886.— 
Gov. Rusk, Dear Sir: Thousands here speak your 
praise and millions of Americans endorse all 
these extracts say of your actions and words. 

Respectfully, 

B. L. Ayers. 

From Hon. Wm. Purcell, Editor of the Roches- 
ter, New York, Union, a prominent Democratic 
politician: 

Rochester, N. Y., May 7, 1886. — Governor: I do 
not know you personally, but I desire to thank 
you for your answer to the aldermanic advocate 
of the Anarchists and for the manner in which 
your troops have taught whom it may concern the 



G O VERNOK S AC TION C OX MENDED. 197 

much needed lesson that liberty is not license. 
Thirty-nine years ago this day, May 7, 1847, then 
a boy of sixteen, I left Rochester on a boat on the 
Erie Canal for Buffalo, and from Buffalo travelled 
around the lakes on a steamer with the late Jona- 
than A. Hadley to Milwaukee, and from there to 
Watertown, where I helped Mr. H. to establish 
the Watertown Chronicle, a Whig paper in the ter- 
ritory of Wisconsin. * * * Through all these 
years I have watched the progress of the state, 
and it is the recurrence of the anniversary to it 
that suggests the above brief expression of my ad- 
miration of the manner in which its Chief Magis- 
trate handles a mob. 

Yours, 

Wm. Purcell. 

The newspapers of the country saw much for 
good in Gov. Rusk's prompt and efficient action. 
Below are given a few extracts from some of the 
leading journals of the nation: 

From the Philadelphia Times: 

Wisconsin is fortunate in having a Governor 
that governs. His name is Jeremiah M. Rusk. 
He is an American in all that the term implies, 
having begun life as a stage-driver, from which 
lowly beginning he graduated by successive steps 
to the Executive chair. His own history guaran- 
tees his entire sympathy with all honest efforts 



198 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

ma do by real working-men to improve their con- 
dition. But he is American enough to be law- 
abiding himself and to insist that the laws shall 
be enforced and the peace maintained. 

The militia that fired on the mob at Bay View 
on Wednesday were acting directly under his or- 
ders and he assumes the responsibility without 
flinching. Had the Governors of other Western 
and Southwestern States shown the same disposi- 
tion to prevent disorder that is shown by Gov- 
ernor Rusk there would have been fewer lives lost 
during the prevalence of the late labor troubles. 

From the St. Paul Pioneer Press: 

It is only in times of popular turmoil that we 
begin to catch a notion of the importance of char- 
acter in our rulers. In our Democratic system 
we have overlooked not a little the fundamental 
principle, that the fittest should command. There 
is something more in Democracy than the mere 
skeleton of popular liberty. The people can be 
free only when those whom they choose to stand 
at the head of affairs are ready and able to help 
them protect their freedom. It is when the 
choice of the people falls upon a man fit to bear 
sway, possessed with the instinct of command, 
and gifted with a right royal sense of the magni- 
tude of interests committed to his charge, that 
we are permitted to see the full excellence of our 
system of government. The people of Wisconsin 



GOVERNOR'S ACTION COMMENDED. 199 

have given us that opportunity. They are to be 
congratulated upon their governor, and they and 
the whole country have a right to be proud of 
him. 

From the Oshkosh Times: 

Every law-abiding and peace loving citizen of 
Wisconsin will applaud the prompt, manly and 
efficient work of Governor Rusk in hastening to 
protect the lives and property of citizens of Mil- 
waukee from the assaults of mobs. Governor 
Husk has proven himself an energetic, vigorous 
and attentive executive, and it is the duty of 
every citizen of the commonwealth to accord to 
him a full measure of praise for his excellent 
work. He did not stop to ask whether the peo- 
ple would praise or condemn his actions, but as 
soon as the peace of the community was threat- 
ened and a rampant and raving mob offered vio- 
lence to property, Governor Busk promptly ap- 
peared upon the scene and by energetic action 
quelled the insurrection with less bloodshed and 
damage to property than would have occurred 
had he shown the least weakness and hesitancy 
at the trying moment. 

From the Albany (N. Y.) Journal: 

All honor, we say, to Governor Rusk, who, 

when the crisis was precipitated in our state and 

brought home to our very doors, manfully set 

aside the possibilities of alienating a certain class 



200 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

of the boycotting school, throwing aside the tin- 
sel and shame of political buffoonry, took up the 
escutcheon of liberty and with a bold front drove 
the minions and rats of socialism into their dens 
and hiding places. Such promptness on his part 
is deserving of the highest encomiums of the press 
and the public, and the response will reach to 
that high pitch of enthusiasm, that he will again 
be the people's candidate for the office he has re- 
peatedly filled with so much dignity and honor. 
Gov. Jerry M. Rusk is one of the old veterans of 
the war. He has been time-tried and fire-tested. 
No more gallant defender ever donned the blue, 
and the laurels he has received are easily worn, 
without the affectation which in no wise is a part 
of his nature. He is a man of the people, staunch 
and true to guide the ship of State. 

From the Chicago Journal: 

Governor J. M. Rusk of Wisconsin has shown 
during the recent riots in Milwaukee conspicuous 
courage and executive capacity. He made no 
terms with rebels against the public peace, but 
declared war against them at the first revolt. 
Once having opened hostilities, he pushed the 
fight with vigor. He gave the troops orders to 
shoot when the rioters charged on them, and to 
shoot rioters — not to shoot in the air. He had 
a Gatling-gun ready to open on their ranks if 
rifles had not done the required work. It may 



GOVERNOR'S ACTION COMMENDED. 201 

be significantly added that the Gatling-gun was 
not needed. 

Gov. Rusk has shown that he knows how to 
meet a threatening emergency. In such a crisis 
what seems like cruelty is the tenderest part of 
mercy. Dalliance with desperadoes and cut- 
throats only inflames their savage purposes and 
re-enforces their numbers. Decisive and severe 
measures are the best and wisest and are the 
shortest road to peace. 

From the Washington Star: 

Although for the last twenty years a political 
office holder, Governor Rusk, of Wisconsin, was a 
soldier before that, and one of recognized cour- 
age. In the discharge of his present high trust 
he maintains the same order of sequence and 
makes the politician second to the soldier. One 
politician — and only one, so far as can be learned 
— has sent up a howl over the tragic end of the 
riot. He thinks that the bullets which the mili- 
tia fired into the mob will cost the governor a 
good many votes. Perhaps they will. But there 
is not a law-loving citizen of Wisconsin who will 
not stand by Mr. Rusk and approve his course 
from start to finish. And, as for the law-loving 
citizens of the United States outside of Wiscon- 
sin, they will desire his better acquaintance and 
wish there were thirty-seven more governors just 
like him. 



202 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

From the Milwaukee Journal: 

Rarely has the course of a public officer met 
with such hearty endorsement as that adopted by 
Gen. Rusk in dealing with the Milwaukee rioters. 
Employes as well as employers feel that the 
heroic measures resorted to by the authorities 
saved many valuable lives and property. That 
blood was shed, that precious human life was 
taken, will ever be a cause of regret. Still, we 
must remember it was better the law-breakers 
should have been killed than the law-defenders. 
Had the militia waited until it was attacked by 
the mob, there would have been terrible slaugh- 
ter on both sides. Remembering these facts, 
press and public have only words of praise for 
Gov. Rusk, under whose direction the soldiers 
acted. It is gratifying to see the politician sink 
in the citizen, as shown by the comments of the 
state press, democratic and republican, printed 
elsewhere in today's issue of the Journal. 

Shortly after the riots occurred, the Merchants* 
Association of Milwaukee held their annual ban- 
quet and Governor Rusk was the honored guest of 
the occasion. In response to the toast, "The State 
of Wisconsin — within her borders no room is 
found for anarchy and violations of sacred rights," 
the Governor spoke as follows: 

"It seems to me that the toast just read was 
pretty thoroughly answered the first week of this 



GOVEENOB'S ACTION COMMENDED. 203 

month, and I do not think there is any fear that 
the intelligent people of Wisconsin will ever per- 
mit the red flag of anarchy to float within her bor- 
ders again. Your city, constituted as it is, with 
its population made up of people from nearly 
every country on the face of the globe, contains 
many agitators who have been driven from the 
Fatherland for violation of laws, and sought 
refuge here under our free form of government, 
believing they will be permitted here to violate 
the laws, incite mobs and riots, and attempt to 
lead ignorant people to do what they dare not do 
themselves. Such men should not be permitted 
to promulgate their doctrines in this glorious 
state of Wisconsin, among her industrious, law- 
abiding people. Wisconsin has plenty of unoccu- 
pied room for those who desire to become hon- 
orable citizens. Our factories, our forests and 
our mines all invite labor, and it should be the 
duty of every citizen to see that every man who 
desires work shall be permitted to do so, unmo- 
lested by those who do not choose to work them- 
selves. And every citizen should be protected in 
the management of his business against the inter- 
ference of all comers. This is the only way in 
which capital and labor can be harmonious— with- 
out one the other cannot succeed. There is an- 
other class, which combine both capital and labor 
within themselves— the farmers. By their indus- 
try and the returns from the fertile soil of our 



204 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

state, they are able to produce what is so essential 
for us all — the food we eat. They are the founda- 
tion of all prosperity, and upon them the future 
success of this country rests. They are the con- 
servative, law-abiding people of this country, and 
upon them depends the safety of the state. In 
closing, permit me to express the wish that the 
trade and commerce of this beautiful metropolis 
of our state may continue to be prosperous in the 
future, as it has been in the past." 



2T0MIXA TED A THIRD TIME. 205 



CHAPTER XXV. 

NOMINATED FOR GOVERNOR A THIRD TIME -HIS 
MESSAGE ON THE RIOTS. 

So strongly was Governor Rusk's course in the 
suppression of the riots approved by the people of 
the State and by the whole country that his nomi- 
nation for a third term was a foregone conclusion, 
and when the convention assembled in the Capitol 
at Madison no other name was mentioned, but 
amid the greatest of applause, in the most enthu- 
siastic convention ever held in Wisconsin, he was 
named for a third term, and in November follow- 
ing was elected by a large majority. 

Upon the assembling of the Legislature in Jan- 
uary, 1887, Gov. Rusk, in his biennial message, in 
referring to the riots in Milwaukee, said: 

"While thus congratulating you upon our ma- 
terial progress, it is with deep regret that I am 
compelled to report that during the past year the 
peace of our State has, in a few instances, been 
interrupted by strikes and riots of greater mag- 
nitude, of more violence, and farther reaching in 
their consequences, than ever before. In this con- 



206 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

nection you are reminded that it will be your duty 
as legislators to look carefully into the causes of 
these troubles ; and wherein our laws for the pre- 
vention of wrong-doing, or the punishment of 
wrong-doers, are found to be defective, it will be 
your duty to perfect them by such new legislation 
as recent experience and reasonable anticipations 
for the future may indicate to be required. While 
your own intelligence, aided by your investiga- 
tions and discussions, will, I have no doubt, lead 
you to a satisfactory solution of all the problems 
involved in this subject, yet I may be indulged in 
a few suggestions, which I hope will not be found 
either impertinent or unwarranted. 

"The discussion of the labor and capital ques- 
tion has become so extensive, has taken such wide 
range, and is being participated in by so many 
people, representing such a diversity of views and 
interests, that it is not strange if at this stage of 
the discussion there is more confusion that clear- 
ness of thought upon it. To eliminate from all 
this confusion and controversy what is essential, 
concrete and practicable, and in accord with those 
principles of justice upon which all good govern- 
ment is founded, and embody it in effective law, 
is no light nor trivial task. 

"It seems to me that a very important — I might 
say vital — fact in this great agitation has so far 
been almost lost sight of, namely: that a large 
majority of the people of every city and every 



NOMINATED A THIED TIME. 207 

State where the labor troubles have existed, and 
an overwhelming majority of the whole people, 
are not directly parties to the controversy at all. 
The contention is between employes and employ- 
ers, and both classes combined are but a minority 
fraction of the whole people, whose peace and in- 
terests are interrupted and their rights violated 
by these unseemly and unnecessary disturbances. 
It is the right and duty of the people — that is, of 
the great majority — to step in and say not only 
"let us have peace," but "we will have peace," 
and through the law and lawfully constituted au- 
thorities to see to it that we do have peace, and 
that disturbers are promptly and properly pun- 
ished. 

"In a few communities, comparatively, there 
are large bodies of workmen, or laborers, who vol- 
untarily choose to work for others, for wages. 
These, by general usage, are called 'workingmen' 
—not the only laborers in the country. The great 
majority of our people are workers, with hands or 
brain, or both, and to all such belongs equally the 
proud title of laborer. But farther, a majority of 
the whole number who do manual productive la- 
bor, employ themselves, plan for themselves, work 
for themselves, and take the whole product of 
their labor to themselves, and find a market for 
their surplus when and as they can. This great 
independent, self-reliant majority is the bone and 
sinew, the pride and glory of good citizenship. 



208 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

Among them there are no strikes or riots, no in- 
terference with the opportunities, liberties and 
rights of others. That their rights and their inter- 
ests should be jeopardized by the restless conten- 
tions of a small minority who ridiculously assume 
that they are the only laborers of the country, is a 
wrong too manifest to be much longer endured. 
If the parties to these ever-recurring disturbances 
can not find a way of amicably settling their dis- 
putes, they must be made to submit to such legal 
arbitration as will at least protect the peace and 
dignity of a civilized commonwealth. 

"In indicating that some additional legislation 
may be required touching the rights of laborers 
of all classes, and their mutual relations to each 
other, only the most prominent fundamental prin- 
ciples of natural liberty and popular government 
need be alluded to. 

"It has already been assumed that where a per- 
son employs himself and works on his own prem- 
ises, and on his own material, with his own tools, 
the product of his labor is all his own, to do with 
as he sees fit. That he must be protected in the 
full enjoyment of all the fruit of his judgment, 
labor and skill, it does not require argument to 
convince us. It is self-evident. But where one 
person engages to work for another, on another's 
premises and material, and with another's tools 
or machinery, it is equally clear that the product 
belongs to the employer; the workman's claim 



NOMINATED A THIRD TIME. 209 

ends with the receipt of his stipulated wages. 
The State's duty and province in such cases is 
simply to maintain individual rights and enforce 
the fulfillment of contracts. Everyone's right to 
work for himself, or for any one else, on such 
terms as he may choose to make, must be main- 
tained at all hazards. He who interferes with 
this principle tramples upon the most sacred of 
human rights, and upon a consecrated principle of 
American liberty. 

"Government should not be — indeed can not 
afford to be — indifferent to the welfare of any 
class of citizens; and it is a special duty to pro- 
tect the poor and weak against any possible ag- 
gressions of the rich and strong. To this end, 
all the rights and interests of workingmen of the 
wage classes should be jealously guarded against 
injustice or oppression at the hands of their em- 
ployers. Corporations, created by authority of 
the State, that in the nature of their business 
must be large employers of labor, or that from 
the nature of their business and their charges for 
service may largely affect the value of the prod- 
uct of labor generally to the producer, must be 
held to a strict and just accountability, and be 
subject always to the control and regulation of 
the State. 

"With those agrarian and socialistic theories 
of fanciful society that deny the right of private 
property, or of each individual to full protection 



210 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

in the enjoyment and control of all his lawful 
earnings, whether obtained by his own labor or 
by contract, we can have no sympathy. They are 
as un-American as monarchy, and as treasonable 
as secession. They contemplate the destruction 
of both justice and liberty, and would accomplish 
the destruction of both if their application to ex- 
isting society were seriously attempted. We are 
not prepared, as American citizens, to even con- 
sider a change in our form of government. Re- 
publican institutions and individual liberty go 
hand in hand, and must and will be loyally 
maintained." 

This portion of the biennial message probably 
attracted more attention than any utterance by 
any state executive in the United States. News- 
papers of all political creeds commended it for its 
sterling patriotism, and it was commented upon 
on both sides of the water. 

During Gen. Rusk's incumbency of the office of 
Secretary of Agriculture many foreigners of dis- 
tinction, in greeting him, would refer to this mes- 
sage, and in many departmental letters received 
from the old world reference is made to the man 
who had so fearlessly upheld law and order, and 
suppressed anarchy. 



DECLINES A FOURTH TERM. 211 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

DECLINES TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR A FOURTH 
TERM. 

Toward the close of Governor Rusk's third term 
he was urged by many to become a candidate for 
a fourth, and although he informed his friends 
who approached him on the subject that he would 
not do so, it was intimated in the public press 
that he would not decline the nomination were it 
offered him. To put an end to the matter he ad- 
dressed the following letter to the press: 

"Executive Chamber, 
" Madison, Wisconsin, August 6, 1888. 
"As a portion of the press has misrepresented 
my position in regard to the gubernatorial nomi- 
nation, I deem it proper at this time to announce 
over my signature that I am not a candidate. To 
all who have talked with me upon the subject for 
the past year I have very clearly and emphatic- 
ally stated that I had no desire to continue in the 
office and would not again be a candidate for the 
nomination. My position was also so plainly 



212 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

stated in several newspaper interviews that I 
thought it could not be misunderstood. 

"The position of Governor, while a high and 
honorable one, is not one to be coveted for an in- 
definite length of time. It has many cares, anxie- 
ties and annoyances that I do not desire to as- 
sume longer. During the time I have held the of- 
fice I have endeavored to conscientiously serve 
the people, and while I have many times been 
compelled to act contrary to my personal feelings 
and wishes, I have done so from a sense of official 
duty. Without solicitation I was honored with a 
nomination for a third term — a mark of confi- 
dence on the part of the people that I hold in 
grateful appreciation. 

"There will be presented for the consideration 
of the Eepublican State Convention the names of 
several gentlemen who are all worthy and compe- 
tent to serve the people well. I have faith that 
the convention will choose wisely, and that their 
action will be endorsed by the people. Believing 
that it would be unwise and contrary to Repub- 
lican principles for men who are holding high po- 
sitions at the hands of the Republican party to at- 
tempt to control or dictate its nominations, I shall 
refrain from taking a part in the interest of any 
of the candidates, knowing that the convention 
will be composed of intelligent gentlemen, having 
the best interests of the party at heart. 

"J. M. Rusk." 



SENATOR SPOOXER'S SPEECH. 2l< 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN [CONVENTION OF 1888— 
SENATOR SPOONER'S SPEECH. 

Gen. Rusk's prompt action in suppressing the 
riots in Milwaukee, his wide acquaintance ac- 
quired during his three terms as executive of Wis- 
consin and as a Member of Congress, his splendid 
military record, and his thorough devotion to 
principle and to every duty, caused him to be con- 
sidered by the press of all portions of the country 
as an available candidate for the presidency. The 
Republican State Convention of Wisconsin with 
great unanimity elected delegates favorable to his 
nomination, and a very enthusiastic representa- 
tion of citizens attended the National Convention 
at Chicago in 1888. A magnificent banner por- 
trait of the General was hung upon the walls of 
the Republican Headquarters, containing the fol- 
lowing inscriptions: 

THREE YEARS SOLDIER. 

SIX YEARS CONGRESSMAN. 

SEVEN YEARS GOVERNOR. 

NOT A WEAK SPOT IN HIS RECORD. 



214 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

The Wisconsin headquarters were visited by 
thousands of people, all of whom had words of 
praise for the gallant soldier from the Badger 
State. The only work done in his behalf was to 
call attention to his splendid record in every posi- 
tion in which he had been placed. No attempt was 
made at combination. As one delegate expressed 
it: "We offer General Kusk as a presidential can- 
didate because of his splendid record, and because 
he would make a president with whom the inter- 
ests of the country would be safe. He is a sound, 
level-headed man, prompt in action, and could be 
elected by an overwhelming majority. There is 
absolutely no unfavorable criticism to make of 
his record." 

Hon. John C. Spooner, the gifted and brilliant 
United States Senator from Wisconsin, presented 
General Husk's name to the convention in the fol- 
lowing speech: 

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention: 

Fully mindful of the disadvantage on this occa- 
sion which lies in the fact that Wisconsin is last 
in the roll-call of States, I turn, for courage, to 
that other fact, that her stalwart and splendid Ke- 
publicanism has placed her, and keeps her, always 
well up toward the head of the column when the 
fighting is on. 

From the day when the second National Eepub- 
lican Convention presented for the suffrages of th 



SENATOR SPOONER'S SPEECH. 215 

people the names of Abraham Lincoln and Han- 
nibal Hamlin, down to the fateful year eight- 
een hundred and eighty-four, when, under superb 
and inspiring leadership, the Republican party 
met uuexpected and undeserved defeat, Wisconsin 
has never failed you, or justly given you one mo- 
ment of solicitude. Today, for the first time in all 
these years of unbroken fealty, she invokes for the 
name and merit of one of her own loved and 
trusted leaders your thoughtful consideration. 
Happily for the party to whose fortunes we are 
all devoted I am not able, with good warrant of 
truth, to urge in advocacy of your adoption of her 
choice, that you will thereby turn a doubtful into 
a certain State, for without hesitation I declare 
in this great presence, that to the nominee of this 
convention, whatever his name shall be, and from 
whatever State he shall come, will be given at the 
appointed time the electoral vote of Wisconsin, as 

usual. 

I ought also to say that you sadly underes- 
timate the quality of our patriotism if there shall 
gain lodgment for a moment here the belief that 
we trifle with this convention, in this crisis of the 
party's life and of the country's good, by urging 
upon its notice a name simply by way of compli- 
ment to a favorite son. Those for whom I speak 
deem this an hour for wise counsels and deliber- 
ate judgment in the interest of the people, not for 
compliment to any man. He who is to lead this 



216 JEREMIAH 31. BUSK. 

great party in the campaign upon which we now 
enter must be chosen, not because his State asks 
it, not because his friends demand it, not because 
he wants it, but because the people want and need 
him. 

The order of the impending conflict is to be 
quite new to us. The beating of the long roll is 
not to summon us, as hitherto, from our tents to 
repel attack. The bugle notes which call us into 
action will sound the advance. Those who lead us 
are to head a storming party against a foe, alert 
and prepared to receive our onset, strongly in- 
trenched behind works which they have been long 
building. 

The rank and file of the Republican party look 
trustfully to this convention for wisdom, and they 
will tolerate no mistakes. They demand for lead- 
ers those who have walked the mountain ranges 
in full view of men, who have kept their feet out 
from the swamps and the bogs of life, whose 
careers are without ambush for the enemy, whose 
adherence to the principles of the party has been 
"without variableness or shadow of turning," who 
are strong in the robust and attractive qualities 
of leadership; men who come froui the ranks of 
the people, who have borne the burdens of life 
common to the people; men whom the people may 
cheerfully, and without mental or moral protest, 
follow to the end for what they have done, and for 



SENATOR SPOONER'S SPEECH. 217 

what they are, and for what they may be reason- 
ably expected to do. 

"Tall men, sun crowned, who live above the fog 
In public duty and in private thinking." 

Wisconsin sends you such a man. 

Is it against him that he does not come from a 
doubtful State? I deny that fidelity to Kepub- 
lican principles has undergone such deterioration 
as to diminish the availability of one's candidacy 
in proportion as the unyielding republicanism of 
the State in which he finds his home has placed 
her above suspicion of defection. If in this I 
claim too much; if the voice of Wisconsin must 
fall upon unwilling ears because of the steadfast- 
ness of her political faith, so be it; but "by the 
same token" your candidate should not come from 
Maine, or Pennsylvania, or Ohio, or Illinois, or 
Michigan, or Iowa. 

Holding, therefore, to the highest standard of 
party duty, and demanding the subordination of 
all personal ambition to party welfare, bowing in 
advance to the decree of this convention, the Ke- 
publicans of Wisconsin, with enthusiastic una- 
nimity, have instructed their delegation to name 
to you, as their choice for the first place, one who 
by a long life of conspicuous public service in 
divers fields of effort has proven his right to stand 
the peer of any man in stainless character, in 
patriotic devotion to the best interests of the 



218 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

country, in political sagacity, in unerring judg- 
ment of men, in heroic courage, — many times 
shown amid the rush and whirl of battle, — and in 
extraordinary executive capacity. 

His name is not unfamiliar to the country. It 
is Jeremiah M. Rusk, the honored Governor of 
Wisconsin. 

Governor Busk possesses what seems in these 
days to be by many considered a fundamental ele- 
ment of eligibility to such a candidacy: he was 
lorn in the tttutc of Ohio. He spent his youth and 
young manhood in the rough but disciplinary 
work of the farm. Over three decades ago he 
sought a home in one of the newer counties of 
Wisconsin. Rich in nothing but brain, and brawn, 
and principle, and honorable ambition, accus- 
tomed to hardship aud not ashamed to labor, he 
cheerfully mounted the driver's seat of a frontier 
stage-coach, as Lincoln in early life went out from 
the rude cabin of his father with the ax upon his 
shoulder to split rails the long day through, and 
as Garfield sought and followed the towpath of 
the canal, thence through a life of high endeavor 
to enter the portals of the White House. 

It is testified by those who knew the young 
Ohioan in those days that he never wandered 
from the road or upset the coach. Never an office- 
seeker, he drew to himself from the outset the con- 
fidence of his neighbors, and was chosen by them 
to various county positions. Like one now con- 



SENATOR SPOONE&S SPEECH. 219 

spicuous in public life, in no good quality or at- 
tainment his peer, he held and discharged the 
duties of the office of sheriff of his county; but lest 
prejudice arise from this similarity of career, per- 
haps I ought to say that capital punishment had 
then been abolished in Wisconsin. 

When the fearful cloud which had been so long 
gathering in our political sky burst upon the 
country with the fury of a tempest; when the flag 
was no longer sacred from the assaults of treason; 
when the Union, the source of all our strength 
and prosperity and hope, was to struggle for its 
life, he answered the call of Lincoln, and leaving 
those who were dearer than aught else on earth 
but his country, he sought straightway the front, 
and there he rode again and again, calm and in- 
trepid, on bloody fields where the missiles of the 
enemy "were weaving the air with lines of death 
and danger" above him and about him; and he 
turned homeward his face only when the angel of 
peace gave the glad command "Right about," and 
he saw & the flag under whose folds he had marched 
and fought with Sherman to the sea, the emblem 
of a union redeemed and regenerated by patriotic 
valor and blood, "with a star for every State and 
a State for every star," and, under God's blessing, 
the only flag ever again to float upon the breeze as 
the ensign of our people. 

Loved by those whom he had led, honored and 
trusted by those under whom he had served, he 



220 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

marched back, with the star of a general upon his 
shoulder, well earned in the hell of battle, to give 
again into the keeping of his State, stained and 
tattered, but glorified by battle names never to be 
forgotten, the standard which he had borne with 
him to the front. 

After serving with remarkable financial ability 
as Bank Comptroller of the State, the banner Re- 
publican district of Wisconsin sent him to the 
halls of the National Congress. There for six years 
he rendered faithful, patriotic and able service 
to the district and to the country. In the For- 
ty-third Congress he served as Chairman of the 
Committee on Invalid Pensions, and as in that 
day, both in Congress and at the White House, the 
pension was held a debt of honor, to be cheerfully 
paid, he was able to render to the surviving sol- 
diers of the Union army, and to the widows and 
orphans of the dead, a service which they have 
not forgotten or ceased to appreciate. 

With the expiration of his present term the un- 
precedented honor will be his of having served as 
Governor of his State for seven consecutive years. 
He has so borne himself in every detail of duty in 
this high office as to win the confidence and re- 
spect of his constituency, regardless of party 
lines, and as to endear himself to every man 
throughout the country who has the brain to dis- 
cern and the heart to appreciate that the only 
sure guarantee of our liberties is in the prompt 



SENATOR SPOONER'S SPEECH. 221 

and strict enforcement of the law. It will be well 
and long remembered to the honor of this man, 
that when insidious and dangerous elements in 
our midst, wearied of sapping in secret the foun- 
dations of our social fabric, came boldly into the 
sunlight with the red flag of anarchy, when men 
shrank back affrighted at the horrid sight of 
death in Chicago's streets, when the cry went up 
from the metropolis of Wisconsin to the chamber 
of the executive for the protection which well-ex- 
ecuted law throws alike around the rich man's 
palace and the poor man's home, it found there no 
timorous, vacillating demagogue, to whisper 
honeyed words into the ears of a mob, but a man 
with clear eye to discover his duty, and the 
strength of purpose to discharge it. 

Tender and sympathetic as a woman, he met 
emergency with a hand of iron, and, with the over- 
whelming commendation which his acts evoked, 
he gave it to be understood, at home and beyond 
the seas, that this is a nation of law; that this peo- 
ple has the strength and the will to purge itself 
of hostile forces, and that neither anarchy, com- 
munism, nor any kindred abomination can find a 
permanent, prosperous abiding place in this land 
of ours. 

The comrade of labor from his youth up, the fa- 
vorite of the farmer because himself a farmer, 
with a just sense of property rights, but never the 
ally or tool of monopoly, his career would success- 



222 JEREMIAH 31. B USK. 

fully challenge the confidence of every deserving 
class. 

Take him, gentlemen of the convention, for your 
leader, and the Republican party of Wisconsin 
bids me pledge you that when the fierce white 
light of the campaign shall beat upon him it will 
disclose no weakness in his armor, no spot upon 
his shield; and when our victory shall have been 
won, you will have installed in the White House 
once again an American President in favor of pro- 
tecting American labor and upbuilding American 
industries, of enforcing to the full extent of ex- 
ecutive power the constitutional right of a free 
ballot and a fair count; who knows this wise lib- 
erality is the only true economy, and that the 
truest statesmanship, as well as the highest pa- 
triotism, is to strengthen and dignify one's own 
nation. 



HIS STAFF OF MAIMED HEROES. 223 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

HIS STAFF OF MAIMED HEROES — VISIT TO GENERAL 
HARRISON. 

Governor Rusk was one of the first to congratu- 
late Gen. Harrison upon his nomination, and was 
one of his most enthusiastic supporters during the 
campaign which followed. On his return from 
the National Encampment of the Grand Army of 
the Republic he called upon General Harrison at 
Indianapolis, escorted by his one-armed and one- 
legged staff. These maimed heroes attracted a 
great deal of attention. The staff was made up 
of officials and employes of the State administra- 
tion, and accompanied General Rusk to a number 
of encampments of the Grand Army during his 
service as Governor. The following list will be 
of interest: 

George W. Baker, Private Co. G, 19th Wis. Vol. 
Inf.; lost right arm at Petersburg, Va. 

Eugene Bowen, Private Co. F, 92d N. Y. Vol. 
Inf.; lost left arm at Cold Harbor, Va. 

J. W. Curran, Private Co. G, 5th Wis. Vol. Inf.; 
lost left leg at Sailor's Creek, Va. 

Peter Delmar, Private Co. F, 17th Wis. Vol. Inf.; 
lost left leg at Atlanta, Ga. 



224 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

Henry P. Fischer, Private Co. F, 2d Mo. Vol. 
Inf.; leg crippled at Perry ville, Mo. 

Henry B. Harshaw, Lieutenant Co. E, 2d Wis. 
Vol. Inf.; lost left arm at Spottsylvania, Va. 

W. J. Jones, Private Co. C, 16th Wis. Vol. Inf.; 
lost right arm at Corinth, Miss. 

W. W. Jones, Capt. Co. A, 2d Wis. Vol. Inf.; lost 
right arm at Antietam, Md. 

W T . H. McFarland, Private Co. B, 5th Wis. Vol. 
Inf.; lost left leg at Salem Heights, Va. 

F. L. Phillips, Private Co. A, 2d Wis. Vol. Inf.; 
lost right arm at Spottsylvania, Va. 

Henry Shetter, Private Co. D, 7th Wis. Vol. Inf.; 
shot through thigh, Gravel Run, Va. 

Benjamin Smith, Lieutenant Cos. B and A, 
Quartermaster 5th Wis. Vol. Inf.; injured in left 
leg. 

Mark Smith, Private Co. H, 7th Wis. Vol. Inf.; 
lost right leg at the battle of the Wilderness, Va. 
David Sommars, Private Co. I, 12th Wis. Vol. 
Inf. ; lost left arm at Atlanta, Ga. 

Ernst G. Timme, Private Co. C, 1st Wis. Vol. 
Inf.; lost left arm at Chickamauga, Ga. 

This was on September 14, 188S. The occasion 
was a brilliant one. In the afternoon the streets 
of Indianapolis were overflowing with marching 
veterans from Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Wis- 
consin and Kansas, headed by the National Drum 
Corps of Minneapolis, and commanded by Depart- 
ment Commander Col. James A. Sexton of Chi- 



HIS STAFF OF MAIMED HEROES. 225 

cago and a staff equipped with dazzling uniforms. 
The great column passed through the city out to 
the Harrison residence. Conspicuous at the head 
of the line marched the distinguished Governor of 
Wisconsin, surrounded by his staff. 

Eighty members of the Woman's Relief Corps 
accompanied the veterans, and were given posi- 
tions of honor at the reception. When Gen. Har- 
rison appeared he was tendered an ovation. Gov- 
ernor Rusk said: "Comrades — I consider it both 
an honor and a pleasure in introducing to you the 
President of the United States for the next eight 
years — General Benjamin Harrison." (Cheers.) 

General Harrison responded as follows: "Gov- 
ernor Rusk, comrades of the Grand Army, and la- 
dies — I did not suppose that the constitution of 
our country would be subjected to so serious a 
fracture by the executive of one of our great 
States. (Laughter.) Four years is the constitu- 
tional term of the President. (Laughter.) I am 
glad to see you. I return your friendly greetings 
most heartily. Your association is a most worthy 
one. As I said to some comrades who visited me 
this morning, it has the best reason for its exist- 
ence of any human organization that I know of. 
(Applause.) I am glad to know that your recent 
encampment at Columbus was so largely at- 
tended, and was in all its circumstances so mag- 
nificent a success. The National Encampment of 
the G. A. R. is an honor to any city. The proudest} 
15 



226 J E BE MI All M. RUSK. 

may well array itself in its best attire to welcome 
the Union veterans of the late war. In these 
magnificent gatherings, so impressive in numbers, 
and so much more impressive in the associations 
they revive, there is a great teaching force. If it 
is worth while to build monuments to heroism 
and patriotic sacrifice that may stand as dumb 
yet eloquent instructors of the generation that is 
to come, so it is worth while that these survivors 
of the war reassemble in their national encamp- 
ments and march once more, unarmed, through 
the streets of our cities whose peace and prosper- 
ity they have secured. (Applause.) 

"Every man and every woman should do them 
honor. We have a body of citizen soldiers in- 
structed in tactics and strategy and accustomed 
to the points of war that make this nation very 
strong and formidable. I well remember that 
even in the second year of the war instructors in 
tactics were rare in our own camps. They are 
very numerous now. (Laughter.) Yet while this 
nation was never so strong in a great instructed 
trained body of veteran soldiers, I think it was 
never more strongly smitten with the love of 
peace. The man that would rather fight than eat 
has not survived the last war. (Laughter.) He 
was laid away in an early grave or enrolled on the 
list of deserters. But he would be mistaken who 
supposes that all the hardships of the war— its 
cruel, hard memories — would begin to frighten 



HIS STAFF OF MAIMED IIEBOES. 227 

those veterans from the front if the flag was again 
assailed or the national security or dignity im- 
perilled." (Applause, and cries of "You are 
right!") 

"The war was also an educator in political econ- 
omy. These veterans who saw how the poverty 
of the South in the development of her manufac- 
turing interests paralyzed the skill of her soldiers 
and the generalship of her captains, have learned 
to esteem and value our diversified manufactur- 
ing interests. (Applause.) You know that woolen 
mills and flocks would have been more valuable 
to the Confederacy than battalions; that foundries 
and arsenals and skilled mechanical labor was the 
great lack of the Confederacy. You have learned 
that lesson so well that you will not wish our res- 
cued country by any fatal free-trade policy to be 
brought to a like condition." (Applause, and cries 
of "Good! good!") 

"And now, gentlmen, I had a stipulation that I 
was not to speak at all. (Laughter.) You will 
surely allow me now t<" stop this formal address, 
and to welcome my comrades to our home." (Ap- 
plause.) 



228 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

CHAUNCEY DEPEW ON GEN. RUSK. 

At the close of the National Convention Col. 
Eliott F. Shepard gave a banquet at the Hotel 
Richelieu in Chicago, at which were present 
Chauncey M. Depew, Senator Hiscock, Warner 
Miller, and many other prominent Republicans, 
and to which General Rusk was invited. Being 
unable to be present he responded by the follow- 
ing eloquent telegram: 

"To the delegates, a royal greeting; to the can- 
didates, an enthusiastic endorsement; and to the 
platform, the highest praise, it being as specific 
as the decalogue, as intelligible as the dictionary, 
and as comprehensive as the constitution. The 
grand triumphal march to victory begins in June 
and will end in November. Wisconsin's motto 
should be the party's watchword, — 'Forward.' 

"J. M. Rusk." 

Chauncey M. Depew, in responding to the senti- 
ment contained in Governor Rusk's telegram, 
said: 

"I had a profound respect for Gov. Rusk when 



CHA UNCEY DEPEW ON GEN. RUSK. 229 

he dared defy the enormous foreign element of the 
State of Wisconsin and to exercise his power as 
Governor to put down the Anarchists under the 
conditions under which he did it. (Applause.) In 
Milwaukee, when he stood up for law and order 
and for everything that a man loves to conserve 
and stand by in the unity which has to live 
against Anarchism, Gov. Rusk did just that thing 
by showing his courage. He accomplished what 
every man does by showing courage on the side 
of right, secured his own re-election and a na- 
tional position. (Applause.) I received indi- 
rectly a letter from Gov. Rusk prior to coming to 
this convention, and it amounted to just this: 'So 
far as I can see, looking over the candidacy of the 
various gentlemen who are to be presented to this 
convention, there is one man who can carry New 
York, and, so far as I can read the philosophy of 
the Republican conditions at this convention, un- 
less New York is carried we are defeated before 
we start in and our whole investment in the can- 
vass is lost; and if there is one man who can 
surely carry New York that is the man for this 
convention to nominate. Now, it so happens that 
the man who can carry New York would also 
surely carry New Jersey and Connecticut. Then 
let New York present us a candidate. No matter 
who he is, we will carry the West for him.' (Ap- 
plause.) 
"That was courage, the sort of courage that is 



230 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

rarely found in the world where a man stands up 
and prefers the accomplishment of a general con- 
dition against a local condition which may be 
beneficial to himself, in the sublime confidence 
that if he is right the local condition will come 
out all right, providing the general condition is 
established. Gov. Rusk had the courage of his 
convictions, and dared to express them. He stood 
up and said just this: 

" 'If the candidate of the State of New York, 
who alone, by reason of his peculiar surroundings 
and the conditions which now belong to him, can 
carry New York, let New York take him and give 
him her thirty-six votes. The people of the State 
of Wisconsin are an intelligent people. On a dis- 
cussion of this question the people of the State 
of Wisconsin will say: 'We separate the candi- 
date from his business and regard him simply as 
he is — as a citizen.' 

"Now, Iowa didn't dare say that; on the con- 
trary, she said: 'We dare not undertake the task.' 
Nebraska didn't say that, but she called upon me 
and said: 'Mr. Depew, in five months we can not 
separate you from your avocation.' Kansas didn't 
say that, but she came to me and said: 'Six 
months is not long enough for us to educate our 
people up to that point.' Gov. Rusk thoroughly 
recognized that a man is different from his avoca- 
tion, and in abandoning his avocation can assume 



CHA UNCE Y DEPE W ON GEN. R USE. 231 

another trust and take another retainer and be as 
true to it as he was to the former. (Applause.) 
Wisconsin was unanimous in supporting Gov. 
Kusk as a Presidential candidate, and she was 
right." 



JEREMIAH M. HUSK. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

A JOURNALIST'S PEN PORTRAIT OF GOVERNOR RUSK. 

In 1886 Franc B. Wilkie ("Poliuto"), the jour- 
nalist and novelist, gave to his paper, the Chicago 
Times, an article entitled "Portrait of a Gov- 
ernor," from which the following is an extract: 

"The portly gentleman who well filled the 
roomy chair in which he was seated was entirely 
unlike the ideal which the visitor had formed of 
him. He had supposed the Governor to be a 
coarse, homespun character, slouchy as to shoul- 
ders, and rugged in feature and speech. Instead 
of this he saw a man of commanding size (he is 
six feet two inches in height, and weighs in the 
neighborhood of two hundred and fifty pounds), 
with a massive head, whose effect was increased 
by an abundant crown of gray hair, pushed back 
from a wide and high forehead, and by a heavy 
moustache and chin whiskers; the ensemble being 
that of an ideal patriarch, at once venerable and 
imposing. Although gray as to hair and white as 
to beard, the Governor is venerable only in ap- 
pearance and not in years, as he is yet a long way 



A JOURNALISTS PEN PORTRAIT. 233 

from the three score and ten which are assigned 
as the period of life's further limit. 

"He has deep blue eyes that are always warm 
and kindly, and which vary constantly in expres- 
sion, and withal have a dominant expression of 
sadness. In conversation, while not always flu- 
ent in the utterance of words, he is ever interest- 
ing and interested, and pervaded with an expres- 
sion of consideration for the one to whom he is 
speaking. His countenance has none of that gloss 
which is seen on the faces of men who have worn 
off the down of inexperience by much contact 
with the world; he is still fresh, and without a 
suggestion of a blase life in his tone or counte- 
nance. 

"Looking at him from a purely physical point 
of view, he is, with his shaggy mane, his deep 
chest, his broad shoulders, his colossal neck and 
thighs, a magnificent animal, and this without a 
hint of anything gross or sensual. In fact, his 
voice, the expression of his eyes, and his senti- 
ments negative any suggestion of a predominance 
of the animal in his nature, for his expression is 
one of gentleness and kindliness, and his senti- 
ments refined and genial. Not a single unkind 
thought did he utter in the frequent conversa- 
tions with which he favored his visitor; he spoke 
well of his political opponents, and in giving his 
views of affairs and men in general he was always 
courteous in tone and charitable in his estimates. 



234 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

"By contact with him one learns in time that 
he is characterized by a grand simplicity; that he 
is without affectation, and generous and tolerant 
in his views, and still possessed of much of the 
naturalness which has come up with him from 
his childhood." 



A CABINET OFFICER. 233 



CHAPTER XXXL 

A CABINET OFFICER. 

It is not surprising that when President Harri- 
son was confronted with the duty of selecting his 
cabinet, the vigorous personality and picturesque 
figure of the stalwart Rusk should have been al- 
most from the first among those slated for a place. 
Farmer and soldier, Congressman and Governor, 
the choice of his State delegation for the Presi- 
dency, he was a typical representative of the re- 
publicans of the Northwest. 

From the very first his name was included in 
most of the "guesswork" slates which are so rife 
among us during the period intervening between 
a presidential election and the inauguration of 
the new President. 

Among Rusk's friends the place most fre- 
quently assigned to him among cabinet probabili- 
ties was the Secretaryship of War, and those who 
knew him best are still inclined to believe that 
his own bent would have led him to choose that 
portfolio of all others, had he been invited to 
make his choice. 

Mr. Harrison thought differently. Any good 



236 JEREMIAH M. B USE. 

man can make a good Secretary of War, but the 
new secretaryship of Agriculture, for the bill cre- 
ating the office was only signed February 9th, 
1889, demanded special experience and special 
qualifications. The elevation of the head of the 
Department of Agriculture to a cabinet position 
was in some sense an experiment — an experiment 
undertaken largely in response to the demands 
of the farmers of the country that their industry, 
which employs nearly one half of the workers in 
our busy hive and practically furnishes all the 
others with employment and subsistence, should 
have a representative at the council table of the 
Chief Magistrate. Of all cabinet positions that 
of Secretary of Agriculture is the one that is 
chiefly what the incumbent makes of it. The 
scope of his work is undefined. His commission is 
to collect and disseminate by all the means at his 
command whatever information he believes to be 
of practical value to agriculture. The only limi- 
tations to his undertaking are his own good judg- 
ment, and the Act of Appropriations. No Cabi- 
net officer depends more upon his own judgment, 
therefore, to make or mar his reputation, and 
there is none whose conduct of his Department 
is liable to attach to or alienate from his party a 
larger number of votes. Within two weeks after 
the new portfolio had been created it had been 
offered by Mr. Harrison to the Ex-Governor of 
Wisconsin, and unanimously within his own 



A CABINET OFFICER. 237 

party, and very generally among democrats the 
choice of "Uncle Jerry" for this place was ap- 
plauded. 

Whatever may have been Governor Rusk's 
views or feelings as to the place assigned him in 
the Cabinet, and although there are some who al- 
lege that it was a disappointment to him not to 
be made Secretary of War, it was not very long 
before the new Secretary showed his appreciation 
of a position which gave him, as he expressed it, 
"full swing" and a chance to be "doing some- 
thing." 

In response to some good humored banter from 
a colleague, as to the propriety of his appearing 
last at a cabinet meeting, inasmuch as he was 
"the tail of the cabinet," he promptly retorted 
that, like a good many other bodies, this Cabinet 
expected the tail to keep the flies off, and he 
would try not to disappoint them. This jocular 
remark, all unpremeditated as it was, affords a 
clue to the view he soon began to entertain of the 
opportunities afforded to the Secretary of Agri- 
culture to achieve much for his constituents and 
country, his own and his party's reputation. 

How well he acquitted himself in proportion to 
the opportunities afforded him, as an important 
figure in President Harrison's administration, the 
verdict of his countrymen will declare. 



238 JEREMIAH M. E USE. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 

It may not be amiss to here interrupt the bio- 
graphical narrative in order to take a cursory sur- 
vey of the Department over which Mr. Rusk was 
called to preside. 

Differing as it does in certain respects from all 
other executive Departments of the Government, 
it is perhaps, or at least it was at the time of Pres- 
ident Harrison's inauguration, one of the least 
known and understood by people generally. 

The unfortunate and shallow tendency so prev- 
alent among Americans dwelling in cities to look 
with scorn upon agricultural matters, and to ridi- 
cule the tiller of the soil, had for years invited the 
cheap wit of penny-a-line paragraphers to make 
the "pumpkin seed" Department a butt for their 
quips and jokes, and the free-gift seed-package en- 
terprise to which the intelligent and purposeful 
efforts of Patent Commissioner Ellsworth had de- 
generated, had done much to encourage this un- 
fortunate condition. 

In spite, however, of these drawbacks, many 



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. £39 

capable and ambitious men, seeing no other 
avenue open to them by which to achieve the ob- 
jects of their legitimate ambitions, had been at- 
tracted to the service of the Department and had 
remained in it in spite of the inadequate remuner- 
ation awarded to even the highest positions 
among them, largely from attachment to their 
work. The work accomplished by these capable 
and efficient men had for years commanded the 
sympathy and encomiums of scientific workers 
abroad, and had eventually, if tardily, secured the 
recognition of scientific and thoughtful men at 
home. The movement toward a higher plane of 
intellectual life among the farmers, in which the 
Grange and the Farmers' Institutes had been 
active and influential agents, had led to a consid- 
erable extension of the appreciation due the De- 
partment among the class it was specially de- 
signed to serve, namely, the farmers themselves, 
and it may be said that the period when General 
Rusk entered upon his duties as Secretary was a 
marked one in the history of the Department, a 
circumstance that added to the responsibility of 
its chief, at the same time that it offered him spe- 
cial opportunities for adding to his own reputa- 
tion. 

The Department of Agriculture is the only one 
of our executive Departments designed to directly 
increase the wealth of the country. Its functions 
are to conduct investigations and spread informa- 



240 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

tion whereby not only our crops may be in- 
creased, but may be grown with wise discrimina- 
tion as to the demand existing for them in our 
own and the world's markets; whereby the rav- 
ages of disease or of insect parasites upon our 
plants or domestic animals may be checked or 
prevented; the ruthless destruction of our mag- 
nificent forest heritage checked, and a rational 
policy of profitable utilization and preservation 
substituted therefor; whereby the results of kin- 
dred work in all sections of our own land and in 
all other lands, may be gathered and digested 
and made available to the intelligent farmer and 
agricultural scientist; whereby the soils and cli- 
mate of our vast territory may be known and 
adapted to the purposes for which they are best 
fitted. All this, with the plain, practical purpose 
of adding to the productiveness, and hence to the 
value, of every tillable acre — not only so, but to 
render tillable lands, now unproductive, as the 
growth of our population and the extension of 
our markets may call for an increase of products. 
In a word, the expenses of the Department, wisely 
directed, should be charged by the American peo- 
ple, not to Expense Account, but to Investment 
Account. Indeed it may be claimed, and justly, 
that, to say nothing of the future, not a year 
passes that the work of the Department does not 
in numerous ways effect a saving for, or add a 
benefit to, agriculture in some or many sections 






DEPARTMENT OF A GRIC ULTURE. 241 

of the country, largely in excess of its entire an- 
nual appropriation. 

Such is the Department over which J. M. Rusk 
of Wisconsin was now called upon to preside. 
That he himself fully appreciated its importance 
is amply proved by his annual reports, and the 
conclusion of the first one is given here as fit- 
tingly presenting the views with which, a few 
months after assuming office, he approached the 
task imposed upon him as Secretary of Agricul- 
ture: 

"It is to be assumed that when Congress, in its 
wisdom, raised this Department to its present 
dignity, and made its chief a Cabinet officer, the 
intention of our law-makers was not simply to 
add the luster of official dignity to an industry al- 
ready dignified by the labor of its votaries, but 
to give it added influence and power for good in 
their behalf. It will not be amiss, then, if here 
and now I venture to offer some facts no doubt al- 
ready familiar to you, but which strikingly em- 
phasize the vast aggregate importance of the in- 
terests which it is the primary object of this De- 
partment to serve. 

"As far back as 1880 the value of the farms of 
the United States exceeded ten thousand million 
dollars. To the unremitting industry of their 
owners these farms yielded an aggregate annual 
value of nearly four thousand million dollars, in 
the production of which a vast population of 
16 



242 JEREMIAH M. E USE. 

nearly eight million of toilers utilized nearly half 
a billion worth of farm implements. The value 
of live-stock on farms, estimated in the last cen- 
sus to be worth over one thousand five hundred 
million of dollars, is shown by the reliable statis- 
tics collected by this Department to be worth 
today two thousand five hundred and seven mil- 
lion dollars. A low estimate of the number of 
farmers and farm laborers employed on our five 
million farms places it at nearly ten million per- 
sons, representing thirty million people, or nearly 
one-half of our present population. 

"These few figures are surely enough in them- 
selves to convince every thoughtful man of the 
responsibilities thrown upon the Department of 
Agriculture, but even they do not permit of a 
realization of their full portent, unless the cor- 
relation of agriculture with the other industries 
of this country be properly considered. It may 
be broadly stated that upon the productiveness 
of our agriculture and the prosperity of our farm- 
ers the entire wealth and prosperity of the whole 
nation depend. The trade and commerce of this 
vast country of which we so proudly boast, the 
transportation facilities so wonderfully devel- 
oped during the past quarter of a century, are all 
possible only because the underlying industry of 
them all, agriculture, has called them into being. 
Even the product of our mines is only valuable 
because of the commerce and the wealth created 



DEPA R TMENT OF A GRIC UL T URE. 243 

by our agriculture. These are strong assertions, 
but they are assertions fully justified by the facts 
and recognized the world over by the highest au- 
thorities in political economy. 

"No wonder, then, that I appeal earnestly and 
confidently for such support as will enable me to 
acquit myself creditably in the position to which 
your confidence has assigned me, and to see to it 
that the great work entrusted to my direction is 
efficiently performed. Throughout the country 
from time to time, and at all times in some parts 
of this great country we find agriculture suffer- 
ing from depression, to diagnose the cause of 
which is oftentimes a difficult matter for pub- 
licists and political economists, while our law- 
makers, both State and national, find their most 
difficult task in the delicate duty of so adjusting 
the respective rights of every class of our citizens 
as to secure to each the full benefits of their in- 
dustry. This is neither the time nor place to 
analyze causes of agricultural depression nor to 
discuss at length the many panaceas proposed for 
its relief, but I do feel that the agencies which 
already exist primarily for the benefit of the in- 
dustrial classes must be extended to the full for 
the advantage of the tiller of the soil. 

"Protection of American industries is one of the 
rock-rooted principles of the great party which 
this administration represents. To all the pro- 
tection that wise tariff laws can afford, and to the 



244 JEREMIAH M. HUSK. 

fullest extent compatible with the equal rights 
of all classes, which is a fundamental principle 
of republican institutions, the farming industry 
justly claims its inalienable right. In the diversi- 
fication of agriculture, which, I am thankful to 
say, has taken place during the past few years, 
and which I hope it will be in my power to greatly 
encourage, the farmer has been enabled to pro- 
duce many articles comparatively unknown as a 
home product twenty years ago. For all such 
articles as our own soil can produce the farmer 
justly asks that protection which will insure to 
him all the benefits of our home market. 

"Another agency looking to the important 
well-being of the farmer is that which was called 
into being by the creation of this Department, an 
agency which, energetically and judiciously di- 
rected, will not fail of its purpose. Great as are 
our crops in the aggregate, it must be admitted 
that our broad acres are not as prolific as they 
should be, and I am convinced that, with the aid 
which can be afforded to agriculture by carrying- 
out to the full the purposes for which this Depart- 
ment exists, and thanks to the rapid growth of 
intelligence and the remarkable efforts at self- 
help among our farmers, the yield of every tilla- 
ble acre in this country can be increased 50 per 
cent. More than this will science, properly di- 
rected, enable us to accomplish, for millions of 
acres at present unproductive can, by its applica- 



DEPA R TMENT OF A GEIC UL T UEE. 2-15 

tion, be rendered fertile. The great nations of 
Europe strain every effort to make science the 
hand-maid of war; let it be the glory of the great 
American people to make science the hand-maid 
of agriculture." 

As showing Gen. Rusk's estimate of the needs 
of the farmers of the country, and of the import- 
ance of the Department of Agriculture it may be 
well to insert here a letter he addressed to the 
Hon. E. H. Funston, Chairman of the Committee 
on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, 
on the 3d day of February, 1890: 

"U. S. Department of Agriculture, 

"Office of the Secretary, 

"February 3, 1S90. 
"Hon. E. H. Funston, 

"Chairman of Committee on Agriculture, 
"House of Representatives. 
"Dear Sir: 

"In accordance with the verbal request which 
you made to me, I enclose you a statement show- 
ing the employes of the Department of Agricul- 
ture now being paid out of miscellaneous appro- 
priations, whose salaries are estimated for spe- 
cifically in the appropriations for the next fiscal 
year under the head of 'Salaries.' This statement 
shows the salaries of such employes to be in the 
aggregate, $54,160. The total difference in the 
aggregate of salaries amounts in round numbers 



246 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

to $82,000, thus leaving some $28,000 to be ac 
counted for. This last amount is. made up first 
of the difference between the amount paid under 
the re-organization of the Department to the Sec 
retary and Assistant Secretary ($12,500) by com 
parison with the amount formerly paid to the 
Commissioner ($5,000). Second, of the amount of 
salaries required for new divisions which I have 
found it absolutely necessary to establish. Third, 
of additions to salaries paid in the scientific di- 
visions of this Department, the necessity for 
which is made, I think, sufficiently plain by what 
follows. 

"I desire to take this opportunity of laying be- 
fore you and the Committee of which you are the 
Chairman, some considerations which I regard as 
of the highest importance. 

"This Department has no representation on the 
floor of Congress except through you and your 
Committee, which consequently becomes the di- 
rect representative of the agricultural interests of 
this country before Congress. The farmers must 
look to you for the adequate consideration by 
Congress of their interests. I am sure, therefore, 
that you will pardon me if as the official repre- 
sentative of the farmers in an executive sense, I 
presume to tax your time and patience with a 
somewhat lengthy communication. 

"First, let me call your attention to the fact 
that the limits and scope within which this De- 



DEPA R TMENT OF A GR1 C UL T URE. 247 

partment was confined before the passage of the 
law which made it one of the executive branches 
of the government, and called its head to a seat 
in the Cabinet, must not be regarded as a correct 
basis for the consideration of its present needs, 
and I, for my part, must absolutely refuse to rec- 
ognize any such standard of comparison. 

"In my report to the President at the close of 
last year, I said, 'for years there had been a de- 
mand on the part of a large majority of the farm- 
ers of the country, that that Department at the 
seat of government, which was organized to rep- 
resent their interests, should be clothed with the 
same dignity and power that other executive de- 
partments had, and that it should have its influ- 
ence in national affairs and be recognized in the 
councils of the Nation.' I desire to repeat those 
words here, and to reiterate my conviction of 
their truth. I will add that there never has been 
a time in the history of this country, when the 
farmers so imperatively needed all the aid which 
this Department was designed to give them as 
the present. More than that, there never has 
been a time when the farmers themselves so thor- 
oughly realized the importance of the aid which 
this Department, liberally administered, can ren- 
der them, nor when they were so united in the 
determination that the promises as to the future 
of this Department held out to them by the law 
which re-organized it, should be fulfilled. More 



248 JEREMIAH M. RUSK, 

is now expected by them, and rightly so, from this 
Department, than at any other time in its history. 

"If, when Congress, in its wisdom, re-organized 
the Department and established it on its present 
basis, it did not intend to give it 'the same dig- 
nity and power that other Executive Depart- 
ments had, and to recognize the due influence 
and importance of the agricultural interests in 
the affairs of the Nation,' then the law is a delu- 
sion, encouraging false hopes and holding out 
false promises, and in the name of justice, I say, 
let it be promptly repealed. 

"A grave embarrassment confronts the head of 
tl is Department in the difficulty of retaining in 
the service scientific men of such attainments 
and experience as they must have, in order to en- 
able him to administer the affairs of the Depart- 
ment with due regard to the great interests con- 
fided to him. 

Measured by any fair standard, the salaries 
paid to the chiefs of division in this Department 
in the past, have been utterly inadequate, and 
even as re-rated, they will be far from approach- 
ing a standard which can be designated as lib- 
eral. The United States Government cannot af- 
ford to employ cheap help, nor to invite efficient 
service to labor for inadequate remuneration. 
Even if it were mean enough to do so, competi- 
tion with private firms and corporations makes 
it impossible for the government to command the 



DEPA R TMENT OF A GBIC UL T UEE. 249 

highest service without offering adequate pay 
therefor. In the particular line represented by 
the Agricultural Department, this competition 
has been greatly increased by creatures of the 
government's own creation. I refer to the two- 
score Experiment Stations, drawing subsidy from 
the National Treasury, and which within the past 
two years, have created a greatly enlarged de- 
mand for the services of scientific agriculturists. 
When I insist thus earnestly that this Depart- 
ment shall be dealt with liberally, and its wants 
considered in the light of present requirements 
and future fulfillment, I beg you to bear in mind 
that I speak in the name of the agricultural in- 
terests of the United States, and I opine that no 
member of either House will for a moment depre- 
ciate the extent, importance and influence of 
these interests in this country. 

"A glance at the record of our export trade 
during the past twenty-five years will show how 
large a proportion of it is made up of agricultural 
products. An average of 444 million dollars per 
annum, an aggregate for the quarter century just 
elapsed of 11,100 millions of dollars, these surely 
are figures, which it almost transcends the power 
of the human mind to grasp, and yet they repre- 
sent but the surplus of agricultural products pro- 
duced by the farmers of the United States, over 
and above our home consumption, and for which 
this country has received pay from foreign na- 



250 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

tions. Permit me here to call your attention 
once more to some facts which I presented to the 
President for his consideration in my annual re- 
port: 

" 'It is to be assumed that when Congress, in its 
wisdom, raised this department to its present dig- 
nity, and made its chief a Cabinet officer, the in- 
tention of our law-makers was not simply to add 
the luster of official dignity to an industry 
already dignified by the labor of its votaries, but 
to give it added influence and power for good in 
their behalf. It will not be amiss, then, if here 
and now I venture to offer some facts no doubt 
already familiar to you, but which strikingly em- 
phasize the vast aggregate importance of the in- 
terests which it is the primary object of this De- 
partment to serve. 

" 'As far back as 1880 the value of the farms of 
the United States exceeded ten thousand million 
dollars. To the unremitting industry of their 
owners these farms yielded an aggregate annual 
value of nearly four thousand million dollars, in 
the production of which a vast population of 
nearly eight million of toilers utilized nearly half 
a billion worth of farm implements. The value 
of live-stock on farms, estimated in the last 
census to be worth over one thousand five hun- 
dred million dollars, is shown by reliable statis- 
tics collected by this Department to be worth to- 
day two thousand five hundred and seven million 



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 251 

dollars. A low estimate of the number of farmers 
and farm laborers employed on our five million 
farms places it at nearly ten million persons, rep- 
resenting thirty million people, or nearly one- 
half of our present population. 

" 'These few figures are surely enough in them- 
selves to convince every thoughtful man of the 
responsibilities thrown upon the Department of 
Agriculture, but even they do not permit of a 
realization of their full portent, unless the co-rela- 
tion of agriculture with the other industries of 
this country be properly considered. It may be 
broadly stated that upon the productiveness of 
our agriculture and the prosperity of our farmers 
the entire wealth and prosperity of the whole na- 
tion depend. The trade and commerce of this 
vast country of which we so proudly boast, the 
transportation facilities so w r onderfully devel- 
oped during the past quarter of a century, are 
all possible only because of the commerce and the 
wealth created by our agriculture. These are 
strong assertions, but they are assertions fully 
justified by the facts and recognized the world 
over by the highest authorities in political econ- 
omy.' 

"So much for the class whose interests are en- 
trusted to this Department. Compare now, if 
you please, the aggregate appropriations asked 
for on behalf of agriculture with those of any 
other Department of this government. Over 27 
millions of dollars appropriated for the War De- 



252 JEREMIAH M. EUSK. 

partment and Military Establishments, nearly 25 
millions for the Navy, while even the Indians are 
allotted nearly six millions dollars in the annual 
appropriations. How do these compare with the 
almost paltry sum, less than one million and a 
quarter dollars asked for for the proper main- 
tenance of this Department? Consider the enor- 
mous expenditures aggregating some 300 mil- 
lions of dollars contemplated for building up the 
Navy, whose sole purpose must be to defend the 
wealth created by the great industry of which 
this Department is the representative. It needs 
no argument to prove, for this has been admitted 
by political economists everywhere and at all 
times, that the source of all rational wealth is in 
the soil which we till. Millions for defense in- 
deed, but in God's name let there be something- 
worth defending, and it is to agriculture alone 
you must look for this. A comparison between 
the appropriations asked for for this Department 
and the liberal appropriations devoted to the 
service of agriculture by Germany, Russia, 
France, Austria, Brazil, and the other sister Re- 
publics in Central and Southern America, is al- 
most sufficient to make the American blush for 
the apparent indifference of ais government to 
this primal industry which this would indicate. 

"I have spoken at length, and I have spoken 
strongly, yet I have but presented to you cold 
facts, conservatively stated, but realizing as I do 
how difficult it is, well-nigh impossible indeed, for 






BEPA RTMENT OF A GRIC ULTURE. 253 

the farmers of this country to themselves repre- 
sent the interests of their class before Congress, 
and that to you and your Committee alone can 
they look for such representation, I should feel 
that if I did not here and now, at the beginning of 
this session, adequately state their case and plead 
their cause, I should be recreant to the trust im- 
posed upon and assumed by me when I accepted 
the portfolio of the Secretary of Agriculture, and 
in that spirit, I respectfully, but most urgently 
beg your attentive consideration of the present 
communication. 

"To your hands are confided the interests of 
this Department in Congress, and to your friendly 
spirit and appreciation of its usefulness, your 
broad statesmanship and earnest advocacy, I ur- 
gently commend it, and rest assured that in 
your labors to give it enlarged powers for greater 
good, you have the cordial support of ten million 
American citizens and their families. 

"In conclusion let me say, that as earnestly as 
I demand that these powers be dealt out to me 
with a liberal hand, so cordially do I invite the 
closest scrutiny by yourself and the entire coun- 
try as to the manner in which I use them. 
"I have the honor to be, 
"Sir, 
"Very respectfully, 

"J. M. KUSK, 
"Secretary." 



254 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

SECRETARY RUSK'S POLICY. 

Secretary Rusk's policy in reference to the De- 
partment was just what might have been ex- 
pected from his appreciation of its duties and of 
its possibilities. The only question that arose in 
his mind in deciding as to work of the Depart- 
ment was the plain and practical one, "Will it 
benefit the farmers?" It is possible that some 
anxiety was felt upon his advent to office, by some 
of the scientific workers in the Department serv- 
ice, as to how far a man of his practical experi- 
ence and tendencies, and doubtless participating 
more or less in the somewhat prevalent opinion 
that the scientific work of the Department was 
not sufficiently directed to practical economic re- 
sults, would be capable of sympathizing with 
their work. 

That Secretary Rusk was somewhat inclined to 
share in this view, so commonly held among the 
farmers, especially in the West, there is little 
doubt, but his natural disposition to fair play — 
"to give every fellow a show," to use his own 



SEC RE TAR Y R USKPS POLIC Y. 255 

blunt phraseology — kept him from any hasty ac- 
tion. Moreover, the Secretary's experience when 
Governor of Wisconsin had fortunately strongly 
predisposed him to appreciate the value of scien- 
tific work in behalf of the farmer. During his ad- 
ministration the practical work for agriculture of 
the University of Wisconsin had been largely de- 
veloped and had met with full sympathy from the 
shrewd, practical man. During his administra- 
tion the Farmers' Institutes, those agricultural 
colleges for the people, had been brought to their 
fullest strength and perfection, and finally estab- 
lished by a law which he was always proud to 
have encouraged and eventually signed, under 
which the Institutes were recognized as a State 
institution, and provided for by an appropriation 
under which Institutes were regularly held 
throughout the State, in charge of a superinten- 
dent appointed by the Regents of the University. 

In spite, therefore, of some latent prejudice due 
to the tendency in some of the Department publi- 
cations to shoot over the heads of the people, Sec- 
retary Rusk was fully disposed to recognize the 
value of scientific work, and to let every man en- 
gaged in it have a fair opportunity to show the 
value to agriculture of his particular branch, and 
to demonstrate, if he could, his fitness for the 
place he held. 

The first important question to engage his at- 
tention was the selection of an assistant secre- 



256 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

tary, in which President Harrison wisely allowed 
him a free hand. In this selection he was chiefly 
guided by the following considerations: First, 
he must have a man sufficiently identified with 
the work of scientific agriculture to not only ap- 
preciate its purpose and be acquainted personally 
with the leading men devoted to it, but to be him- 
self known to and appreciated by them. Second, 
he must have a man combining the practical ex- 
perience and training of a man of affairs with the 
education and tastes of the scholar and student, 
his purpose being to confide to the immediate per- 
sonal supervision of the assistant Secretary those 
Divisions of the Department engaged especially 
in scientific investigations. 

The office was, after mature consideration, of- 
fered to Hon. Edwin TVillits, a man of large ex- 
perience in public affairs, who had served several 
terms in Congress, and who, being a lawyer of 
high repute, was yet most favorably known in his 
own State, Michigan, as also widely throughout 
the country, from his connection with educational 
matters, more especially with agricultural educa- 
tion. At the time he was called to act as Assist- 
ant Secretary of Agriculture, for he fortunately 
accepted the place without hesitation, Mr. Wil- 
lits was the President of the State Agricultural 
College of Michigan, and Director of the Experi- 
ment Station connected with it. 

This is not the place to discuss the merits of Mr. 



SEC RET AB Y R USK?S FOLIC Y. 257 

Willits nor to review his work, but no biographer 
of Secretary Rusk could perform a duty more in 
tune with the record and with the disposition of 
the late Secretary than to express briefly but 
earnestly the value of Mr. Willits' services as 
principal coadjutor of the Secretary in the im- 
portant work of laying the foundations for the 
great and useful edifice, the Department of Agri- 
culture is bound to become. The feelings of mu- 
tual esteem and the cordial cooperation with 
which the two men labored in the work which 
was their pride, were alike honorable to both, as 
they are doubtless the source of many grateful 
memories to the survivor. 

With the appointment of Mr. Willits the first 
step was taken in the re-organization of the De- 
partment. The essentially scientific Divisions 
were made directly responsible to the Assistant 
Secretary, and the men in charge of every branch 
of the work were bidden to move onward with 
firm step and cheerful confidence, and informed 
that by the value of their work and by that cri- 
terion alone should they be judged. 

A disposition towards segregation, occasionally 
manifested among the several Divisions as the 
scope of the work was enlarged, and their number 
necessarily multiplied, was unsparingly checked; 
interest in each other's work was invited, a cheer- 
ful cooperation insisted upon, and every man was 

early impressed with the fact that no part of the 
17 



258 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

work of the Department should be indifferent to 
him, and tbat while all the latitude possible was 
to be accorded to every responsible officer, each 
one was to be held strictly to a recognition of the 
allegiance he owed to the Department. 

The next great step undertaken, affecting the 
general work of the Department, was in regard 
to the publications, a special Division being cre- 
ated which should have supervision of them all, 
which should administer the printing fund, re- 
port to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary upon 
the character and contents of each bulletin, and 
advise with the several chiefs as to the style of 
the publications, the size of the editions, etc. 
With the establishment of the new Division the 
words borne on the title page of each publication 
— "Published by authority of the Secretary of 
Agriculture" — ceased to be an empty form. 

That Secretary Rusk fully appreciated the 
value and purpose of the publications of the De- 
partment, as the voice by which it makes itself 
heard by the public, is shown not only in the 
great yearly increase of the publications issued 
by the Department during his administration, 
but by the following language in which, in his 
first annual report to the President, he referred 
to this part of the work and to the means he had 
adopted for its better administration. He said: 

"One of the first conclusions forced upon me 
after a careful review of the valuable work of the 



SECRET AR Y R USE'S FOLIC Y. 259 

several divisions of the Department in its appli- 
cation to the economy of agriculture, was the ab- 
solute necessity for prompt and effectual means 
of reaching the class the Department was pri- 
marily designed to serve, i. e., the farmers. The 
very essence of the duties devolving on this De- 
partment of Government is that its results shall 
be promptly made available to the public by a 
comprehensive scheme of publication. Time and 
expense, ability and experience, lavished on the 
work of this Department, can have no practical 
results unless we can lay their conclusions 
promptly before the people who need them. 

"The frequent issue of special bulletins from 
the various divisions relating to the work under- 
taken by them, instead of awaiting the issue of 
the annual report, already too bulky for the pur- 
pose for which I conceive it to be designed, meets 
with my unqualified approval, and I propose to 
greatly extend this practical method of intercom- 
munication between the Department and its con- 
stituents. To reach the farmers of the country 
effectually, however, even more is needed than 
the issue of frequent bulletins in editions of 
5,000 or 10,000 copies. Many of these are essen- 
tially and unavoidably scientific, and the careful 
record of scientific investigation by scientific men, 
the value of whose conclusions must necessarily 
bear the scrutiny of scientific investigators the 
world over. The elimination of all scientific terms 



260 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

and language from such reports is impossible, 
while at the same time it is feasible and essential 
that all practical conclusions arrived at, as the 
result of scientific observation or investigation, 
must be so expressed as to be readily understood 
by all ordinarily intelligent people of average ed- 
ucation. 

"Again as to the number of copies required and 
the methods adopted for their circulation, it is 
clearly impossible to reach every farmer on the 
nearly 5,000,000 farms of the United States with 
all the bulletins emanating from this Depart- 
ment, nor is it desirable that every bulletin 
should reach every farmer. Farming is becom- 
ing more and more differentiated, not only into 
main divisions naturally created by limitations 
as to climate and soil, but into minor divisions or 
specialties due to the larger experience, the 
higher degree of skill required in the present day 
to enable a farmer to prosecute his work success- 
fully, and to which but very few men can attain 
in more than one or two specialties or branches 
of farming. Herein we find another strong argu- 
ment for the diffusion of the results of our De- 
partment work, in the form of special bulletins, 
convenient in form, promptly printed, and easily 
distributed. 

"The points to be covered in this direction may 
then be thus briefly summarized: 

"(1) Frequent publications of the results of 



SEC RE TAR Y R USK'S FOLIC Y. 261 

scientific work in the various divisions, in the 
form of special bulletins. 

"(2) The observance, as far as practicable, of 
such language as will render the contents of each 
bulletin available to the average layman. 

"(3) A method of distribution which will se- 
cure the circulation of the Department bulletins 
among those who will make practical use of 
them. 

"(4) The widespread publication of the prac- 
tical conclusions of the scientific observations or 
investigations, undertaken in the various divi- 
sions, in a brief form and plain terms, and on a 
scale so extensive as to practically reach all the 
farmers of this country." (Annual Report 1889, 
pp. 6 and 7.) 



262 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

SCOPE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT. 

Secretary Rusk did not take long to discover 
that tbe Department of Agriculture is practically 
what its chief makes of it, and he promptly set 
himself to consider in just what ways he could 
render it most efficacious for the good of the 
American farmer. We have already stated that 
his views as to its scope and functions were broad 
and compretensive 

He believed it to be one of the first duties of 
the Department to keep in touch with all the agri- 
cultural interests throughout the country. For 
this purpose he held it to be desirable that the 
Department should be represented as largely as 
possible at all important agricultural gatherings. 
He further deemed it of the utmost importance to 
acquire all the information possible that could be 
of use to the farmer, whether through its statis- 
tical or other agents or by scientific investiga- 
tions, and to present to the practical farmer, 
plainly and promptly, the results of the inquiries 
so conducted. 

"The Statistical Division," he would say, "is 



SCOPE OF THE DEPARTMENT. 263 

here to tell the farmer all he needs to know in re- 
gard to the commercial side of his business; not 
only to inquire and report as to the condition of 
the growing crops, but to inform him as to the 
extent and value of all crops grown in the coun- 
try, of the demand therefor, both domestic and 
foreign, and of the supply contributed by compet- 
ing countries; to investigate the condition and de- 
mands of foreign markets, that we may know for 
which of our agricultural products a demand ex- 
ists abroad, which are the best and most available 
markets, and in what form our products must be 
exported to attract and satisfy the foreign con- 
sumer." He would often, in discussing this sub- 
ject, say with the practical, shrewd good sense 
which characterized his consideration of these 
subjects: "What I want to know the farmer is 
pretty sure to want to know, and the questions I 
want answered for my own information our sta- 
tistician must be prepared to answer for the in- 
formation of the public." 

From the first, Secretary Rusk took a lively in- 
terest in the work of those divisions which seemed 
to him engaged in the most practical phases of 
agricultural science, such as the study of animal 
and plant diseases, and of injurious insects by 
which the value of our crops, both animal and 
vegetable, are so seriously reduced. 

Perhaps the best idea obtainable of Secretary 
Rusk's views as to the scope and functions of the 



264 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

Department may be found clearly and vigorously 
expressed by himself in his last annual report, 
from which we must necessarily quote frequently 
and at length for the benefit of those who desire 
to know just what was Secretary Rusk's own ap- 
preciation of his work and duty in the great office 
to which he devoted the closing years of his life, 
what were his hopes and aspirations in regard to 
it, and how earnestly he commended it, in his lat- 
est public utterance in regard to it, to the con- 
sideration of his countrymen. He thus sets forth 
"The Scope of the Department's Work" in the 
report in question: 

"Before proceeding to any detailed work of the 
several bureaus and divisions composing this De- 
partment, I desire to present for your earnest 
consideration some observations regarding the 
general character, scope, and object of the work 
of this Department, which I conceive to be not 
thoroughly understood, or at least not fully ap- 
preciated, by many people in this country. In 
order to fulfill its mission, this Department must 
be prepared to do with reference to agriculture 
all that our individual farmers are unable to do 
for themselves. The great blessing which this 
country enjoys from the fact that it is far less 
than some other countries the home of large 
landed proprietors presents to us certain difficul- 
ties which it is the province of this Department 
to remove. The absence of large land-owners, 



SCOPE OF THE DEPARTMENT. 265 

commanding extensive capital in our agricultural 
industries, necessarily limits the lines of individ- 
ual experiment and investigation into those agri- 
cultural problems upon the solution of which the 
future prosperity of agriculture depends. 

"It is the duty of this Department to investi- 
gate all these problems, and in this work it is en- 
titled to receive the heartiest cooperation on the 
part of the experiment stations in the various 
States which are recipients of the national 
bounty. But while the work of these must nec- 
essarily be differentiated, that of the Department 
must be broad enough to meet the wants of the 
entire country. Not only must the diseases of 
animals and plants and the ravages of their insect 
enemies be studied and investigated with a view 
to prevention or remedy, but the condition of soil 
and climate, rendering various sections specially 
adapted to this or that crop, must be thoroughly 
studied and understood. This Department must 
be prepared to encourage agriculture on certain 
lines in certain sections which are especially 
adapted to them, and, on the other hand, to dis- 
courage certain lines in other sections. Again, 
the farmer must always depend upon this Depart- 
ment for information in regard to what may be 
termed the commercial side of agriculture, the 
condition of crops at home and abroad, the ques- 
tion of the demand, and the question of the sup- 
ply of all great staple crops, not only as to extent, 



266 JEREMIAH M. R USE. 

but as to character. Only a thoughtful mau, fa- 
miliar with the conditions of agriculture in the 
country, can fully appreciate the vast breadth 
and scope of the work required to enable this De- 
partment to adequately fulfill the mission I have 
indicated. 

"The commission of this Department, as I may 
call the law under which it was orginially estab- 
lished, is broad enough to cover any work which 
in the judgment of its Chief may have a bearing 
upon agriculture in this country; but in its prac- 
tical application its work is necessarily limited 
by the extent of the appropriations made for its 
use, as well as by their distribution to special ob- 
jects. While the appropriations which I have 
estimated for have been estimated upon the most 
economical basis adequate to carrying on the 
work already undertaken with reasonable effi- 
ciency, I desire to state emphatically that a much 
larger sum could be spent to the very great ad- 
vantage of agriculture in this country, and I will 
add that I know of no way in which the people 
of the United States can make a more profitable 
investment than by supplying the funds neces- 
sary to an ample enlargement of our work, and 
an extension of our facilities for the work already 
undertaken. 

"In this connection I wish to point out that the 
Department labors under serious disadvantages 
from the inadequate compensation which it is au- 



SCOPE OF THE DEPARTMENT. 267 

thorized to offer to the men of talent, scientific 
education, and experience which it needs to carry 
on its most responsible duties. In this respect 
the Department's facilities will be found to com- 
pare very unfavorably with those of the other De- 
partments of the Government. 

"There are in other Departments single bureaus 
commanding the services of a dozen men drawing 
salaries exceeding by $500 to $1,500 those paid to 
persons performing corresponding duties or hav- 
ing corresponding responsibilities in this Depart- 
ment. In all matters pertaining to agriculture 
this Department should lead and not follow in the 
footsteps of State or private enterprise, and I 
submit that without greater liberality in this re- 
spect, which will enable the Secretary of Agricul- 
ture to command the services of the best- 
equipped men in the country for his purpose, the 
Department will inevitably be relegated event- 
ually to a second place unworthy of a National 
Department, and which will be sure to cripple its 
usefulness." (Annual Report 1892, pp. 18 and 19.) 

Two other important subjects engaged the Sec- 
retary's special attention and received his earnest 
consideration. These were the necessity for a 
wider representation of the Department at the 
meetings of agricultural and kindred associations 
in our own country, and for suitable representa- 
tion of the Department at important interna- 
tional gatherings devoted to agricultural matters 



268 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

in foreign countries. We cannot refrain from 
quoting, in illustration of Secretary Rusk's views 
on these subjects, certain of his remarks thereon 
in his report for the year 1890. Speaking of rep- 
resentation at our own agricultural gatherings, 
the Secretary said: 

"In my last report I referred to the fact that 
there are held in this country annually a vast 
number of fairs — usually a State or Territorial 
fair in every State and Territory in the Union, 
many other large district or interstate fairs, 
while county fairs are very nearly as numerous 
as the number of counties in the whole country. 
It is a very essential part of the duty of this De- 
partment to keep itself well-informed in regard 
to the extent and character of the agricultural 
resources of all sections of the country, and I 
know of no opportunity for adding materially to 
this information at so slight an expense of time 
and money as is afforded by these exhibitions 
which bring together in one place samples of all 
the best that the country can produce. 

"It is my desire that the representatives of this 
Department should be found hereafter at all the 
principal State fairs, under instructions to make 
a thorough report on the character of the exhib- 
its, and at the same time avail themselves of 
meeting, as they will do on such occasions, the 
leading representatives of agricultural interests, 
from whom much can be learned as to the wants 



SCOPE OF THE DEPARTMENT. 269 

of the farmers, the nature of their difficulties, 
and the best manner in which the Department 
can serve them. Furthermore, I desire to carry 
this system of representation at the fairs as far 
as possible, even to include county fairs, by avail- 
ing myself of the cooperation of the large staff 
of voluntary correspondents of the Department 
distributed through all sections of the country, 
and to whose enthusiastic devotion to the cause 
of agriculture the Department has already been 
often and much indebted. It seems to me that 
by such means a sort of bird's-eye view, as it 
were, might be obtained of the agricultural re- 
sources of the country, with the result of supply- 
ing this Department with a vast amount of valu- 
able information which can not only not be se- 
cured so easily in any other way, but indeed can 
not be secured at all except by these means. 

"Among other services which these representa- 
tives could render the Department would be the 
collection and forwarding to the Department mu- 
seum samples of the various exhibits which at 
present are too frequently scattered and lost. 
This subject naturally leads to a consideration of 
the necessity for a more frequent interchange of 
thought between this Department and the agri- 
cultural intelligence of the country. I called at- 
tention in my last report to the fact that there 
had been, especially in the past few years in the 
United States, an enormous development in the 



270 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

agricultural organizations devoted to the farm- 
ers' self-improvement. Our dairy associations, 
our horticultural, live stock, and kindred societies, 
have not only multiplied as to number, but today 
are far more active in holding meetings and con- 
ventions than they have ever been before. The 
farmers' institutes are meetings of a general 
character, attended usually by the best farmers 
in the sections in which they are held, and bring- 
ing together the best agricultural thought and 
practice. Not only do I deem it to be of the ut- 
most importance, indeed a solemn duty devolving 
upon this Department, that these meetings and 
gatherings should be encouraged in every pos- 
sible way by their representative Department in 
the national government, but I conceive it to be 
absolutely necessary for the intelligent conduct 
of the work of this Department that it should be 
frequently represented at such meetings, not 
only for the encouragement and benefit of those 
present, but for the benefit of this Department 
and its division chiefs. 

"Speaking from my own experience, I am 
aware that in the large section of country with 
which I am familiar, from an agricultural stand- 
point, most important meetings have been held 
in recent years. Questions of the gravest im- 
port to the agriculture of this country have been 
discussed at these meetings, and yet rarely in 
deed has there been present any person repre- 



SCOPE OF THE DEPARTMENT. 271 

senting the National Department of Agriculture 
who could speak for it, and what is still more im- 
portant, learn for it the views and wants of these 
people. This is a condition of affairs which calls 
for immediate remedy, and in so far as the liber- 
ality of Congress will enable me to do so, I am 
determined to provide that remedy. It is only 
by the closest cooperation between this Depart- 
ment and the agricultural societies — the Granges, 
the Alliances, etc., — that the work of the Depart- 
ment can be carried to its highest development 
and attain its greatest usefulness, and I recom- 
mend that a special fund be placed at my dis- 
posal for this purpose." 

Again, speaking on the same subject, in his re- 
port for 1S02 (pp. 19-20) he said: 

"As I have had occasion to say in former re- 
ports, one of the objects which I have sought per- 
sistently to accomplish, but only with moderate 
success, has been the freer and larger intercourse 
between the Department and the farmers, by 
means of adequate representation at the prin- 
cipal gatherings of agricultural, horticultural, 
live stock, and kindred industries throughout the 
country. It is largely due to a lack of this repre- 
sentation that the cooperation in the interest of 
agriculture which ought to exist between the va- 
rious bodies representing the several agricultural 
industries and the State boards and colleges, etc., 
does not obtain. What I have been able to do in 



272 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

this direction with the limited facilities at rny 
disposal has brought about results most gratify- 
ing, and, at the same time, such is afford an earn- 
est of what might be accomplished were the De- 
partment properly equipped with an adequate 
force of intelligent, energetic special agents, well 
acquainted with the agricultural interests in 
their own section of country, and qualified to rep- 
resent the Department creditably on all public 
occasions. To reach its full measure of useful- 
ness, it is essential that the Department be 
brought home to the farmers in such a manner 
that they will be made to realize that it is their 
Department, and that they are acquainted with 
it and it with them." 

On the subject of representation of the Depart- 
ment abroad, Secretary Rusk used the following 
emphatic language: 

"I desire to record here very emphatically my 
conviction that some method must be adopted 
by which, as occasion requires and without long 
delays, this Department shall be enabled to send 
representatives to foreign countries in cases 
where only personal visits can be relied on to se- 
cure much-needed information. The subject of 
world-wide competition has been dwelt upon at 
length on so many occasions that it would be 
purely superfluous to insist here upon the active 
competition which meets our own farmers in 
every market where their products are offered for 



SCOrE OF THE DEPARTMENT. 273 

sale. The commercial side of this condition of 
things is well understood, but it does not seem to 
be so clearly understood or so well appreciated 
that there is an intellectual competition which is 
even more serious than the other, in that it is the 
basis of the other. 

"Where wise economic legislation is the cure, 
the perfection of agricultural methods, which 
means the maximum of production at the min- 
imum of cost, is the prevention of agricultural 
troubles. In our pursuit after this perfection we 
must study the methods of all other countries 
that attain or approach it in any branch of agri- 
culture. We must be prepared to learn all that 
is to be learned elsewhere, and then wisely adapt 
the information so obtained to the conditions of 
the American farmer. Consequently that infor- 
mation must be acquired by men who are them- 
selves familiar with our own agricultural condi- 
tions. This plan, except in so far as it is now of- 
fered on behalf of agriculture, is by no means a 
new or original one. It is but a few years since 
that a commission of distinguished military of- 
ficers visited many of the European countries 
and British India for the purpose of studying the 
equipment of foreign armies with a view of 
adapting to our own military service all that 
might seem to be advantageous. I have under- 
stood that the report brought back by these gen- 
tlemen was regarded by high authorities as most 
18 



274 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

valuable. In this, as in many other respects, ag- 
riculture has not had the fair treatment which, in 
spite of the fact that it is beyond dispute the 
most important industry in the country, is, after 
all, all that it asks for. The suggestion of send- 
ing a well-qualified representative abroad purely 
in the interest of agriculture is cavilled at as a 
means of affording a pleasure trip to some 
broken-down professor. It is time that we rose 
superior to such humiliating and unworthy 
puerility. 

"It may be well, perhaps, in this connection to 
call attention to the fact that we are in this re- 
spect far behind the other nations of the world, 
however disagreeable it may be to confess it. Im- 
portant gatherings of men devoted to agricul- 
tural science, and enjoying by the courtesy of the 
government under whose jurisdiction they as- 
semble every privilege and facility for gaining in- 
formation in regard to the agriculture of that 
country, are constantly being held in various 
parts of the world, at which representatives of 
this, the greatest agricultural country in the 
world, are conspicuous by their absence; and 
when we are represented, it is often by some 
wealthy amateur enjoying his ease abroad, or, as 
is sometimes the case, by some enthusiast, who, 
at a sacrifice of time and money which he can ill 
afford to spare, manages to attend; but officially 
this country and this Department are very rarely 



SCOPE OF THE DEPARTMENT. 27 "5 

represented on such occasions. A most notable 
instance of our omissions in this respect was fur- 
nished during the meeting last September of an 
international agricultural congress at Vienna, in 
which we had been especially invited to partici- 
pate by the Austro-Hungarian Government, at 
which over eleven hundred delegates were pres- 
ent, including distinguished representatives of 
agricultural interests from every country in 
Europe, from Japan, from Australia, from India, 
and from South America, and at which were dis- 
cussed subjects of profound interest to American 
agriculture. This was a meeting at which, for 
many reasons, it was most desirable that the 
United States, through this Department, should 
have been officially represented. Unfortunately, 
for want of adequate provision, the United States 
alone, of all the leading countries of the world, 
was absent. 

"Let me here recall the fact that since I had the 
honor to assume the office of Secretary of Agri- 
culture I have been visited by gentlemen from 
Austro-Hungary, Germany, Bavaria, France, 
Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, 
Japan, and even from one of the native principal- 
ities of the East Indies, the official representa- 
tives of departments analogous to my own in 
their native countries, traveling under orders 
from and under the pay of their respective gov- 
ernments, armed with all the official credentials 



276 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

necessary to secure to them every attention and 
courtesy necessary to the prosecution of their in- 
quiries. Thus do these countries indicate their 
willingness to learn whatever we may be able to 
teach them. Thus do they recognize the fact 
upon which I have already insisted — that there 
is an intellectual as well as a commercial compe- 
tition, to which the old maxim, 'Knowledge is 
power,' applies with a force which all must rec- 
ognize." 

In his last annual report (1892, p. 20) the secre- 
tary recurred to the subject, proposing for the ad- 
equate representation of the Department abroad 
a plan which curiously enough has since and only 
recently been adopted by Germany, the country 
which of all others represents militarism in the 
mind of the average American. On this occasion 
he said: 

'What has been done abroad in the interest of 
Indian corn shows very clearly the importance 
and desirability of having this Department repre- 
sented in foreign countries. These representa- 
tives should be charged not only with the duty of 
spreading information abroad in regard to our 
own agricultural resources and the availability 
of our agricultural products for foreign use, but 
they should also keep this Department thor- 
oughly informed in regard to all matters relating 
to agriculture and to the markets for agricul- 
tural products in foreign countries, by which our 



SCOPE OF THE DEPARTMENT. 277 

own producers could be enabled to compete with 
the foreign producers. To afford such represent- 
atives all the facilities they ought to have, and to 
secure harmonious cooperation between them- 
selves and our diplomatic representatives abroad, 
they ought to be, on the recommendation of the 
head of this Department and with the concur- 
rence of the Secretary of State, attached in a 
semi-official character to our foreign legations in 
those countries where it may be found necessary 
to station them. Such a course has already been 
pursued with most satisfactory results in the 
~ase of the agent of this Department in London." 



278 JEREMIAH M. R USE. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

EXPERIMENTAL WORK. 

The second year of Secretary Rusk's adminis- 
tration was a busy one indeed. The difficult duty 
devolved upon him of preparing in the fall of 
1890 estimates for carrying on the work of the 
Weather Bureau, which Congress had directed, 
under an act approved October 1st, 1890, should 
be established and attached to the Department 
of Agriculture, upon which should devolve the 
civilian duties of the signal corps of the army. 
This transfer was to take place July 1, 1891, and, 
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, estimates 
had therefore to be prepared, as is customary 
under our somewhat anomalous system in the 
fall of 1890, with the added embarrassment aris- 
ing from the fact that Secretary Rusk had this 
duty to perform in reference to a bureau practic- 
ally as yet uncreated, and to make provisions for 
work entirely new to him. Obviously but one 
course was open to him, and this he explains in 
his report for 1890, as follows: 

"Under an act approved October 1, 1890, Con- 



EXPERIMENTAL WOBK. 279 

gress directed 'that the civilian duties now per- 
formed by the Signal Corps of the Army shall 
hereafter devolve upon a bureau to be known as 
the Weather Bureau, which, on and after July 1, 
1S91, shall be established in and attached to the 
Department of Agriculture.' 

"In accordance with this act I have included 
estimates for the ensuing fiscal year for carrying 
on the work of the Bureau thus created in this 
Department. I deem it evident from the discus- 
sion which attended the passage of this act, and 
from the wording of the act itself, that in makiDg 
this transfer of the Weather Bureau to this De- 
partment, it was the intention of Congress that 
the work of the Bureau should be extended, in so 
far as might be necessary to a full cooperation of 
this branch of the service with the work of the 
several divisions already established in this De- 
partment for the benefit of agriculture, without 
in aDy way restricting its general scope. In this 
spirit I have submitted estimates for the coming 
year on the basis of the wider range of work thus 
contemplated, and I take the opportunity of ex- 
pressing here my own conviction that in many 
ways the work of meteorological observation 
which this Department will be thus enabled to 
carry on in conjunction with its other work, will 
be found of great value to the farming interests 
of the country. It is indeed self-evident that to 
complete the study of soil conditions, of animal 



280 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

and plant life, a study of the climatic conditions 
of our country is indispensable." 

The Artesian Wells investigation, under the 
Office of Irrigation Inquiry, was undertaken 
under a provision in the urgent deficiency act 
approved April 4, 1890, and the work was so vig- 
orously pushed that a report of operations was 
made to Congress, in spite of the lateness with 
which the work was begun, on the 22nd of 
August of the same year. This work was con- 
tinued under the act approved September 30, 
1890. 

Practically a new division was established for 
the investigation of our textile fibre industries, 
and a division of illustrations, combining under 
one chief all the drawing, engraving and illustra- 
tion work of the Department was organized. Ar- 
rangements were undertaken for the preparation 
of a Departmental exhibit at the World's Colum- 
bian Exposition in 1893, under the Assistant Sec- 
retary, acting as special representative of the De- 
partment of Agriculture on the World's Fair 
Government Board. 

An important modification was carried out in 
regard to the monthly statistical reports, brief 
summaries of which are sent out through the 
press associations on the tenth day of each month. 
The fact that this news was sent by telegraph 
and could thus only reach business centers im- 
pressed the Secretary forcibly, and as the full re- 



EXPERIMENTAL WORK. 281 

port was a publication of considerable size, which 
could only be issued in a limited edition and 
after several days' delay, thus leaving an intereg- 
nuni during which the information gathered es- 
pecially for the benefit of the producer was avail- 
able principally to middlemen and speculators, 
he decided that there should be issued, simul- 
taneously with the telegraphic summary, a brief 
but somewhat extended synopsis of the monthly 
report, in a form so cheap that a copy might be 
sent to every applicant, and so promptly that 
every farmer, as soon after the tenth as the mails 
could reach him, should be in possession of all 
the information sent out by telegraph and even 
more. One hundred and thirty thousand syn- 
opses are now sent out monthly to as many ap- 
plicants. This detail affords a fair illustration of 
Secretary Rusk's practical nature, and of his de- 
termination that the work of his Department 
should be directed primarily to the benefit of its 
immediate constituents, the farmers. 

The enlargement of the Department and the 
great increase in the work devolving upon it, was 
truly gratifying to Rusk's active temperament, 
and it was characteristic of the man that the 
greater number of important matters requiring 
his attention and consideration, the happier and 
more cheerful did he seem. He attacked his daily 
duties with all the zest and energy of youth, and 
fairly exulted in the amplification of each day's 



2 82 JEBEMIA H M. E USK. 

work. It was in this year also that the important 
step was taken of appointing a special agent in 
Europe, charged with the duty of making known 
to its people the value of Indian corn as an article 
of human food. The agent chosen for this pur- 
pose was Col. C. J. Murphy, a gentleman who had 
been engaged in this work for nearly two years 
at his own expense, as a private citizen, and Sec- 
retary Eusk thus reported his action in the prem- 
ises in his annual report for 1890: 

"I have long been impressed with the necessity 
of taking measures to promote the consumption 
of Indian corn in foreign countries. The facility 
with which we can raise this cereal, its generally 
low price, and the occasional glut in the home 
market in years when the yield has been espe- 
cially large, make an increase in our exports of 
corn extremely desirable. It is essentially an 
American cereal, one which can be grown in all 
parts of this great country, and the area adapted 
to which is practically illimitable. Not more 
than 20 per cent, of the crop on an average is 
moved outside of the country in which it is grown, 
and to the extent to which this indicates the utili- 
zation of the crop for feeding purposes on the 
farms where it is grown this is well; but when we 
realize that this fact is due in part at least, es- 
pecially in years like the last of an ample yield, 
to the absolute want of demand, our home mar- 
kets being fully supplied, it is certainly a matter 



EXPERIMENTAL WORK. 283 

of profound regret that there does not exist a for- 
eign demand sufficient to relieve the glut at home, 
and to secure for our farmers in the West a price 
which would be adequate at least to save them 
from loss on the growing of the crop. 

"During the past ten years our exports have 
hardly exceeded 3 or 4 per cent, of the total crop. 
This is due largely to the fact that corn is utilized 
throughout the greater portion of Europe solely 
as food for animals, and then only when its very 
low price tempts the feeders. As a food for hu- 
man beings it is practically unknown, save in 
some sections of Southern Europe, while in the 
greater part of that continent it can not even be 
grown to maturity. I have recently determined 
to avail myself of the presence in Europe of Col. 
Charles J. Murphy, a well-known authority and 
enthusiast on the subject of the increase of our 
corn export, who has been commissioned by me 
to make a report to this Department upon the 
general subject of the promotion of the use of 
Indian corn as a human food in European coun- 
tries. Colonel Murphy's report will be made the 
subject of a special bulletin as soon as it shall 
have been received, and will no doubt treat of 
this important subject practically and well." 

This year was marked by renewed energy in 
the prosecution of the cane sugar experiments in 
Louisiana and Florida, and sugar experiments 
with sorghum in Kansas and with beets in the 



284 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

Northwest. The whole subject was gone into in 
the fullest manner, under the capable leadership 
of the Chief of the Chemical Division, both cul- 
turally and from the manufacturer's point of 
view. In Louisiana the object sought was to so 
improve the processes of manufacture as to add 
to the sugar product, and in Florida it was sought 
to establish the availability of the land for a 
profitable cane production. In Kansas the ef- 
forts made were to improve the varieties of sor- 
ghum, so as to secure an increase in the saccha- 
rine matter, and to simplify and cheapen the 
process of manufacture. In Nebraska and the 
Northwest the experiments were specially di- 
rected to acquainting the farmers with the sugar 
beet industry, and demonstrating the adapta- 
bility of that section of the country to this crop. 
Thousands of pounds of sugar beet seed were dis- 
tributed among farmers throughout the country, 
and numerous analyses were made of the product 
to determine the. sugar-producing capacity of the 
beets produced on our own soil. This subject was 
one which from the first engaged the Secretary's 
earnest attention. He felt convinced of our abil- 
ity to produce our own sugar, and believed that 
no effort should be spared to bring about a con- 
summation which should have so important an 
influence in the much needed diversification of 
our agricultural products, and which should 
eventually transfer 120 million dollars annually 



EXPERIMENTAL WORK. 235 

from the pockets of foreign producers to those of 
American farmers. 

The Bureau of Animal Industry, combining as 
it does large administrative duties with its sci- 
entific work, had special attractions for his active, 
energetic and somewhat aggressive disposition, 
but its work during this and succeeding years 
was of such a special character and of such mag- 
nitude that it will be desirable to give it a chap- 
ter to itself. 



>86 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 



CHAPTER XXXYI. 

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 

The Bureau of Animal Industry had been es- 
tablished primarily for the eradication of con- 
tagious pleuro-pneumonia, but it was organized 
for the general supervision of our cattle industry 
and the investigation of animal diseases, am! 
thus combined the highest scientific work with 
large administrative powers, though these w T ero 
found by Secretary Rusk to be as inadequate to 
its responsibilities as were its accommodations 
to its scientific work. His first efforts w r ere di- 
rected to securing from Congress legislation 
greatly enlarging his authority, and covering 
such subjects as the movement of cattle from the 
Texas fever region, a system of inspection of all 
cattle, sheep and swine imported into the coun- 
try, and an inspection of all pork products. 

The restrictions imposed by foreign countries 
upon our cattle and meat trade were especially 
galling to his intense Americanism, and he par- 
ticularly resented them not only as being, in his 
opinion, in the nature of a subterfuge, an effort to 



B UREA U OF ANIMA L IX D US TB Y. 287 

secure protection without honestly adopting pro- 
tective principles, but as casting a most unjust 
reflection upon the sanitary condition of Ameri- 
can live-stock. 

He was, however, quick to see that without the 
exercise of the most rigid supervision and inspec- 
tion on our part, fully equal to that imposed by 
foreign governments upon their own products, 
and which alone could put us in the position to 
guarantee, as it were, the soundness of our cattle 
and cattle products exported, we could not pre- 
sent a strong case to foreign governments. In 
spite, therefore, of many objections and sinister 
prognostications as to the impracticability of 
such a system of inspection as would satisfy for- 
eign governments, he secured the passage of 
legislation authorizing inspection of the most 
searching and comprehensive character of all cat- 
tle and meats destined for foreign markets. 

When a movement was inaugurated looking to 
discouraging if not practically prohibitive regu- 
lations of our live cattle trade by the British Gov- 
ernment on the ground of the ill-treatment of 
animals in transit, he met this too by a law au- 
thorizing the inspection by the Secretary of Agri- 
culture of all vessels carrying cattle, and the en- 
forcement of such regulations as he might lay 
down for the greater safety and humane treat- 
ment of all animals shipped across the ocean. 
Armed with such drastic powers, Secretary Rusk 



288 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

entered upon an aggressive campaign, the lead- 
ing features of which were the prompt and ef- 
fectual extirpation of contagious diseases among 
our cattle, the establishment of the most rigid 
and efficient inspection of all cattle and meat 
products destined for foreign markets, the abso- 
lute control and restriction within its own area 
of Texas fever, an efficient and humane regula- 
tion of the ocean cattle traffic, and, last but not 
least, persistent efforts through our representa- 
tives abroad to induce foreign governments to 
withdraw or at least to modify the objectionable 
restrictions. 

One of the first practical efforts in this direc- 
tion was the appointment of his own Veterinary 
Inspectors in Great Britain, who should, with 
the consent of the British government, exercise 
a joint supervision with the British inspecting 
officers of all cattle landed on British soil from 
this countrj 7 . This concession was obtained 
through the efforts of the then United States 
Minister in London, Mr. Robert Lincoln. 

By this means and b}' a system under which 
every animal inspected for export is tagged and 
numbered, and is thus susceptible of individual 
tracing and investigation, the many groundless 
allegations made by the British inspectors of the 
existence of contagious pleuro-pneumonia among 
cattle landed in British ports from the United 
States would, it was believed, be effectually dis- 



B UREA U OF ANIMAL IND USTR Y. 289 

proved and the number of such allegations ef- 
fectually diminished. Such indeed was the re- 
sult to an extent even greater than could have 
been reasonably anticipated. 

Having taken all the measures possible to se- 
cure the immunity of American cattle from dis- 
ease; having established such a system of inspec- 
tion as would enable the prompt identification 
and tracing to the farm whence purchased, of any 
individual animal alleged to be affected, and hav- 
ing secured the opportunity for an inspection by 
veterinary officers of the Department of any sus- 
pected case landed in Great Britain, Secretary 
Rusk lost no opportunity to impress upon the 
British Government through the Department of 
State and our Minister in London the fact that 
the restrictions imposed upon the American cat- 
tle trade by the British Government were unjust; 
that the allegations of their inspecting officers 
involved a charge against the sanitary condition 
of our cattle which it was impossible for the Gov- 
ernment to justify upon any grounds— a charge 
which was therefore unfriendly in its nature, 
and which would justify any legitimate retalia- 
tory measures upon our part. At the same time 
the Secretary resorted to the most energetic 
measures for the eradication of pleuro-pneumonia, 
with the result that whereas on assuming office 
he had found the disease existing in four States, 
he was able before the second year of his admin- 



290 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

istration to report all but one State entirely free 
from it, and the disease in that particular State 
confined to a small area within the limits of two 
counties. 

The effect of these measures was quickly seen 
in the great diminution of cases of disease among 
American cattle alleged by British officers, and 
in the few cases where such allegations were 
made the value of the trans- Atlantic inspection 
established by the Secretary was made conspic- 
uously apparent. In every such case the Depart- 
ment was promptly advised by its inspectors, re- 
inspection of the diseased animal being in every 
case quickly followed by refutation of the alle- 
gation on the part of the American inspector — 
refutation which was in every instance supported 
by leading European veterinarians and justified 
by the life-history of the suspected animal, which, 
being traced back by the system of identification 
already referred to, to the farm where it had been 
originally sold, was invariably found not only to 
have come from a section in which the disease 
was unknown, but not to have been exposed to it 
for one moment while in transit. Finally, a pe- 
riod of six months having elapsed during which 
not a single case of the disease had been discov- 
ered in the United States, notwithstanding the 
fact that the force of veterinary inspectors was 
not diminished in the meantime, and that, more- 
over, owing to the recently established in spec- 



B UREA U OF ANIMAL IND US TR Y. 291 

tion laws, the general system of inspection at all 
the leading markets of the country had been 
greatly extended, Secretary Rusk on the 25th day 
of September, 1892, issued the following procla- 
mation announcing the complete eradication of 
pleuro-pneumonia : 

PROCLAMATION. 

Eradication of Pleuro-Pneumonia. 

U. S. Department of Agriculture, 

Office of the Secretary. 
To all whom it may concern : 

Notice is hereby given that the quarantine 
heretofore existing in the counties of Kings and 
Queens, State of New York, and the counties of 
Essex and Hudson, State of New Jersey, for the 
suppression of contagious pleuro-pneumonia 
among cattle, are this day removed. 

The removal of the aforesaid quarantines com- 
pletes the dissolving of all quarantines estab- 
lished by this Department in the several sections 
of the United States for the suppression of the 
above-named disease. 

No case of this disease has occurred in the State 
of Illinois since December 29, 1887, a period of 
more than four years and eight months. 

No case has occurred in the State of Pennsyl- 
vania since September 29, 1888, a period of four 
years within a few days. 



292 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

No case has occurred in the State of Maryland 
since September 18, 1889, a period of three years. 

No case has occurred in the State of New York 
since April 30th, 1891, a period of more than one 
year and three months. 

No case has occurred in the State of New Jer- 
sey since March 25, 1892, a period of six months, 
and no case has occurred in any other portion of 
the United States within the past five years. 

I do, therefore, hereby officially declare that 
the United States is free from the disease known 
as contagious pleuro-pneumonia. 

Done at the city of Washington, D. C, this 26th 

day of September, A. D. 1892. 

J. M. Rusk, 

Secretary. 
In accordance with Secretary Rusk's sug- 
gestion, copies of this proclamation were placed 
in the hands of all the diplomatic and consular 
representatives of the United States throughout 
Europe. This action was followed by a vigorous 
letter addressed, under date of October 3, 1892, 
to the Secretary of State, on the subject of the re- 
strictions still maintained against American cat- 
tle by the British Government. This letter we 
reproduce entire. 

"U. S. Department of Agriculture, 

"Office of the Secretary, 
"Washington, D. C, October 3, 1892. 
"Sir: I have the honor to request that you will 



B UREA U OF ANIMAL IND USTR Y. 293 

take the proper steps to bring to the attention of 
the Government of Great Britain the unnecessary 
and injurious restrictions which are still enforced 
upon all shipments of live cattle from the United 
States to Great Britain and to Canada. The reg- 
ulations referred to require that all live cattle 
landed in Great Britain shall be slaughtered on 
the docks within ten days after quitting the ships 
which transport them, and that all animals of 
tnis species entering the Dominion of Canada 
shall be held in a quarantine station for a period 
of ninety days. 

"It is almost unnecessary to add that such reg- 
ulations prevent the shipment of cattle, except 
those intended for immediate slaughter. The 
trade in pure-bred animals and in those for graz- 
ing purposes is entirely prevented, while animals 
for slaughter do not realize the prices which they 
otherwise would. These regulations, therefore, 
cause hardship and loss to our shippers, and en- 
tirely prevent a trade which would undoubtedly 
prove advantageous to both countries. 

"The regulations in question were adopted in 
1879 because of the supposed danger of the intro- 
duction of the contagious pleuro-pneumonia from 
the United States. Since that time, however, this 
Government has provided for the eradication of 
that disease, and it no longer exists in any part 
of the United States. A period of more than six 
months has elapsed since the last affected animal 



294 JEREMIAH M. MUSK. 

was slaughtered, and every precaution has been 
observed during this period to discover the dis- 
ease in case of its existence. As no other cases 
have occurred subsequent to that time, I have of- 
ficially declared this country to be free from con- 
tagion, and copies of this declaration were sent 
you on the 24th ultimo. 

''It should not be forgotten that during the 
period these restrictions have been enforced upon 
our cattle trade, Canadian cattle for sale in this 
country and for export to Europe have been ad- 
mitted through the United States ports without 
detention, and that those from Great Britain and 
Ireland have been admitted, after a reasonable 
period of quarantine, although it is well known 
that pleuro-pneumonia has long prevailed in the 
British Isles. It may also be said that there is 
no disposition to enforce this quarantine after the 
disease in question has been eradicated from 
Great Britain and Ireland, provided these coun- 
tries remain free from other contagious diseases 
dangerous to the stock interests of this country. 

"I trust, therefore, that the British Govern- 
ment will see the injustice and unnecessary char- 
acter of the present regulations, and will be dis- 
posed to revoke them at an early day. 

"J. M. Rusk, 

"Secretary. 
"The Secretary of State." 

This letter was followed by further correspond- 



B UREA U OF ANIMAL IND USTR Y. 29 5 

ence on the subject in November of the same 
year, and in February of the year following, 
shortly before the Secretary's retirement from of- 
fice. 

In regard to the prohibitions against importa- 
tions of American meat products enforced by the 
countries of continental Europe for so many 
years, Secretary Rusk was not less energetic and 
persistent. The same principle dictated his ac- 
tion and controlled his administration. This was 
to undertake a rigid inspection however onerous 
or costly, sufficient to guarantee the immunity 
from unsoundness of American meat products, 
and thus to compel foreign countries to accept 
the alternative of either withdrawing their pro- 
hibitions, or of assuming the distinctly illogical 
and unfriendly attitude of declaring that com- 
mercial not sanitary protection was what they 
sought, and that they would not accept any guar- 
antee of immunity from the American Govern- 
ment, however rigid the inspection upon which it 
was based. The result of this policy in regard 
to American pork products was more fortunate 
than in the case of the British Government with 
reference to American cattle, and Secretary Kusk 
was gratified by the withdrawal in quick succes- 
sion of the prohibition against pork and other 
manufactured swine products of the United 
States, by the governments of Germany, Den- 
mark, Italv, France, Austria and Spain, and by 



296 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

the adoption of a distinctly more liberal policy 
on the part of all European countries in reference 
to American meat products generally. 

While, in spite of the evidence adduced as to 
the freedom of our cattle from disease, and of 
the frequent efforts made by Minister Lincoln to 
this end the British Government has obdurately 
adhered to its policy of protection. The course of 
that government in regard to our pork products 
has always been liberal, and they have been ad- 
mitted to the United Kingdom without restric- 
tion and even without exacting any certificate of 
inspection by our government. 

In marked contrast to this liberality was the 
course which had been adopted by other Euro- 
pean governments which had maintained for 
years an absolute prohibition against our pork 
products. It was to render this policy impossi- 
ble without an admission that it was based not 
on sanitary but on economic grounds, and that it 
was to be taken as an evidence of hostile legis- 
lation, that Secretary Rusk carried out his plan 
of a thorough inspection by agents of the Bureau 
of Animal Industry, even to the extent of micro- 
scopical inspection for trichina. His plan proved 
effectual and one after another these European 
governments withdrew their edicts against the 
American hog until finally its entry was secured 
into every civilized country. 



HIS LAST REPORT. 297 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT -HIS LAST REPORT. 

The work done by Secretary Rusk in laying 
down a broad foundation for the future work of 
the Department of Agriculture was so univer- 
sally recognized that it needs no special testi- 
mony at the hands of his biographer, but without 
some record of its growth and development a 
sketch of his work as Secretary of Agriculture 
would be manifestly incomplete. Fortunately 
for the reader there is extant his own modest es- 
timate of the work of the Department under his 
administration in the form of a "Retrospect," 
which formed a part of the Secretary's last an- 
nual report, that for 1892, which was written in 
November of that year, nearly a month later than 
usual, and which hence reviews a period lacking 
barely four months of his entire administration. 
In this review he thus addresses the President: 

«I shall offer no apology, in presenting to you 
this my fourth and last report as Secretary of 
Agriculture, for submitting for your considera- 
tion a brief retrospect of the work accomplished 
in the Department under the present administra- 



298 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

tion. The passage of the law making the Depart- 
ment one of the Executive Departments of the 
Government antedated by but a few weeks your 
own inauguration and my assumption of the du- 
ties of Secretary of Agriculture. In consequence, 
the entire work of reorganizing the Department 
in accordance with its new dignity, and to meet 
the enlarged field of labor which I assume to be 
the most practical result of its elevation, de- 
volved upon myself, with the assistance of the dis- 
tinguished gentleman whom you selected to serve 
as Assistant Secretary. 

"In my first report I said: 'It is to be as- 
sumed that when Congress in its wisdom raised 
this Department to its present dignity and made 
its chief a Cabinet officer the intention of our law- 
makers was not simply to add the luster of official 
dignity to an industry already dignified by the 
labors of its votaries, but to give it added influ- 
ence and power for good in their behalf.' It is 
with that sentiment ever in mind that I have pro- 
ceeded in the discharge of the responsible duties 
imposed upon me. I may venture to recall the 
fact that the Work of reorganization was made 
none the less arduous for the reason that the ap- 
propriations at my disposal, not only for the fiscal 
year in which I assumed office, but for the fiscal 
year following, had been made for the Depart- 
ment under its old regime, no further provision 
being made for it as an Executive Department 



HIS LAST REPORT. 299 

than the appropriation for the salaries of the Sec- 
retary and Assistant Secretary in lieu of the sal- 
ary formerly paid to its Commissioner. A brief 
enumeration of the practical features added to 
the work of the Department since March, 1889, 
can not fail, I think, to satisfy the most exacting 
friend of agriculture of the earnestness with 
which I have sought to increase the utility of the 
Department and promote the interests of Amer- 
ican agriculture. 

"My first step in the work of reorganization 
was to divide the Department into two grand 
divisions, one embracing all branches which in- 
volved administrative and executive features, 
which I retained under my personal supervision, 
the other embracing those branches engaged 
purely in scientific investigations, the immediate 
supervision of which I assigned to the Assistant 
Secretary. In accordance with this division my 
personal attention was devoted to the enlarge- 
ment of the scope of w T ork in the interest of prac- 
tical agriculture, and particularly to three prin- 
cipal objects: The extension of the market for 
the disposal of the surplus of our great staple 
crops and of our vast animal products; the en- 
largement of our productive capacity with a view 
to substituting as far as possible home-grown for 
imported products; and to bringing the Depart- 
ment into such close relations with the farmers 
as would make them acquainted with our work, 



£00 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

inspire them with confidence in our ability to 
serve them, and to impress more forcibly upon 
the responsible officers of the Department them- 
selves the wants and conditions of the tiller of 
the soil. 

"The great enlargement of the scope of work 
assigned to the Bureau of Animal Industry, 
which resulted in compelling me to thoroughly 
reorganize it administratively a little over a year 
ago, has been especially marked along the lines 
of the first of these objects. The thorough con- 
trol of contagious and other cattle diseases, in- 
volving a careful and systematic regulation of 
our cattle traffic, and achieving, I am glad to say, 
the complete eradication of the most serious of 
the diseases with which our cattle industry was 
threatened; the comparative immunity obtained 
from the ravages of Texas fever among Northern 
cattle, and the establishment of a great sytsem 
of national cattle and meat inspection with the 
twofold object of guarding our cattle from the 
possible introduction of communicable diseases 
and of opening the markets of the world to our 
meat products — these of themselves furnish suffi- 
cient cause for congratulation as the work of one 
administration. The great results of this work 
and the benefits secured to our cattle-growers 
and the live-stock interests generally I have al- 
ready sufficiently emphasized in this report. 

"The extension of our Division of Statistics so 



HIS LAST BEPOB T. 30 1 

as to cover the agricultural resources of other 
lands, and the demand of foreign markets for 
products which it was in the power of the Ameri- 
can farmer to produce, marks another and import- 
ant step in the same direction; and to this I may 
add the establishment of an efficient agency in 
Europe for the investigation of the feasibility of 
extending markets abroad for American agricul- 
tural products, which, for obvious reasons, as al- 
ready explained, has been directed chiefly to the 
introduction of our Indian corn to the people of 
Europe as a cheap and economic substitute for 
other cereal foods. In the efforts for the substi- 
tution of home grown for foreign products in our 
own markets the development of a domestic sugar 
holds an important place, and it is, I am gratified 
to say, the work of the past three years in this 
direction which has placed our domestic sugar 
industry upon a footing which justifies and in- 
vites the extension of private capital and indi- 
vidual enterprise to its development. 

"The development of the fiber investigation 
from the point of simply gathering information 
in relation thereto to the extent of practical in- 
vestigation and experiment has been accom- 
plished, and affords marked encouragement for 
the hope that the time is not far distant when a 
large proportion of the enormous sum now paid 
to foreign producers for vegetable fibers and their 



302 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

manufactures may be diverted to the pockets of 
our own farmers. 

"Investigations into the resources of the Eocky 
Mountain region, together with the vast amount 
of information collected and published in regard 
to our facilities for irrigation both from surface 
and subterranean supplies, and extensive experi- 
ments in the production of grasses and fodder 
plants within the limits of the vast territory, em- 
bracing not less than 300,000,000 acres, outside of 
irrigable limits, and which, as I have shown, 
promise a reasonable degree of success, the value 
of which to the country can hardly be overesti- 
mated, and the important and highly satisfactory 
efforts made in the prevention or remedy for 
plant diseases and in checking the ravages of the 
insect enemies of plant and animal life — these 
represent fairly some of the more important work 
accomplished towards the development and ex- 
tension of our own domestic production. 

"Of the twelve divisions of the work which I 
found in existence on assuming control of the De- 
partment, one which was then but a section of 
another division, Vegetable Pathology, has be- 
come a separate and distinct division, the import- 
ance and value of which has been widely recog- 
nized by horticulturists throughout the country, 
while one, the Silk Division, has been discontin- 
ued owing to the refusal of Congress to make the 



HIS LA S T EEPOE T. 303 

necessary appropriations therefor. Many new di- 
visions have, however, been organized. One of 
these, it is true, the Office of Experiment Sta- 
tions, had been called into being a short time be- 
fore my assumption of office, under section 3 of 
the act of March 2, 1887, which established the 
Htate experiment stations. It had, however, 
practically just begun its work, and its entire 
organization and development has been a part of 
the work of this administration. Its utility as 
the connecting link between this Department and 
the stations and on behalf of the stations has been 
shown by the unanimity with which the directors 
and officers of the various stations have sought 
to have its appropriations increased; and while 
this has been done, so that today the appropria- 
tion for this branch of our work is twice what it 
was in 1889, its labors have been so far extended 
that the sum devoted from the printing fund of 
the Department to its work in the line of publica- 
tions alone exceeds the original appropriations 
made for it. 

"The Division of Eecords and Editing is an en- 
tirely new division and one which has had a large 
share in increasing the influence and the effi- 
ciency of the Department and at the same time 
in effecting much needed modification in its pub- 
lications and exercising general supervision over 
its publishing interests so as to promote in a 
marked degree the advantageous and economic 



304 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

use of the printing fund. The increased appre- 
ciation of the character and utility of the Depart- 
ment publications has most fortunately led, in 
accordance with my repeated representations, to 
a large increase in our printing fund, the careful 
and economic administration of which, however, 
has been such as to secure a far more than cor- 
responding increase in the number of our publi- 
cations, to say nothing of the general improve- 
ment in their character, an improvement which 
has been especially directed to subserve the needs 
of the practical farmers of the country. 

"The work of the Division of Forestry has been 
so systematized and extended as to largely ex- 
tend both the influence of the division itself and 
to awaken widespread and most gratifying inter- 
est among the people of this country in regard to 
the important subject of our forest resources, the 
preservation of our forest supplies, their condi- 
tion and character, and the climatic influences of 
our forests, while, thanks to the enlightened ini- 
tiative of the Chief Executive, important steps 
have been taken in the direction of administering 
many of the forest lands of the Government in 
accordance with the principles of economic for- 
estry. 

"One of the most important additions to the 
work of the Department has been made in the 
transfer to it of the Weather Bureau, a transfer 
calculated to greatly extend the work of the 



HIS LAST BEPOR T. 305 

Bureau itself for the benefit of agriculture and 
supplying opportunities for the much-needed co- 
operation of this branch of the service with the 
work of several of the other divisions of the De- 
partment — a transfer, indeed, which was abso- 
lutely essential in order to successfully conjoin 
studies of animal and plant life with that of the 
soil and climatic conditions, and, I may add fur- 
ther, a transfer which has elicited most gratify- 
ing evidences of general approval in all sections 
of the country. 

"To enumerate even a small proportion of the 
valuable publications issued during the past 
three years would be impossible within the lim- 
its of this report. They have been many, varied, 
and most useful to the agricultural interests, and, 
while the information to the practical farmer has 
been, as I believe it ought to be, my chief care, 
the interests of scientists and the students of 
agricultural science have been by no means for- 
gotten. Congress itself has shown a high appre- 
ciation of the value of some of these publications 
by ordering their reproduction in very large edi- 
tions for distribution by Senators and Represen- 
tatives, and I am gratified to be able to state that 
educational establishments and agricultural as- 
sociations throughout the entire country have 
shown a steadily growing and keen appreciation 
of the publications of the Department and of 
their educational value. 
20 



306 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

"In concluding this review of the work of the 
Department under your administration, I may 
properly say a word in regard to the earnest ef- 
fort which has been made to administer its affairs 
with due regard to economy. References to great 
increase of the annual appropriations of this De- 
partment during the past two years have been 
not infrequent, but I think it will surprise those 
who have taken these references at their face 
value without much thought and consideration of 
the facts underlying them to learn that, after de- 
ducting the appropriation for the Weather Bu- 
reau, which was not an increase but a transfer, 
and the appropriations necessitated under the 
law endowing the State experiment stations, over 
which the head of this Department exercises no 
control whatever, the total sum remaining of the 
present year's appropriations barely exceeds the 
total appropriations of the Department, less ex- 
periment station work, for the fiscal year ended 
June 30, 1889. And this in spite of the fact that 
the present appropriation includes sums devoted 
to special features of the work not then in exist- 
ence nor even contemplated, such as fiber and ir- 
rigation inquiries, extension of foreign markets, 
rainfall experiments, etc., to say nothing of the 
large sum necessarily devoted to the work of 
meat inspection. I will candidly admit that the 
restriction of the appropriations for the work of 
this Department within these narrow limits is 



HIS LAST REPORT. 307 

not my fault, but I think that it is not unreason- 
able that I should take some credit for the ac- 
complishment of the objects which I have enum- 
erated within the limits to which I was restricted 
by a want of greater liberality on the part of 
Congress." 

If to the above retrospect we add the final rec- 
ommendations with which the Secretary prac- 
tically concluded his last report, we will have be- 
fore us, summarized in the present chapter, not 
only Secretary Rusk's own estimate of the foun- 
dation work done, but his broad and statesman- 
like views as to the superstructure which the 
future ought to see erected thereon. In this 
sketch he outlines a plan of organization for car- 
rying on the future work of the Department 
which has already received ample commendation 
from many of those who are the best qualified to 
judge as to how the work of the Department in 
the future can best be carried on. We quote: 

"Before closing this report it seems to me im- 
portant that, as the result of nearly four years' 
experience in conducting the work of this Depart- 
ment, I should indicate, as definitely as possible, 
some of the plans for its future administration 
which seem to me eminently desirable in order to 
maintain and promote its efficiency. Before pro- 
ceeding to state these plans in detail I desire once 
more to emphasize the fact that, in all plans de- 
signed for the future conduct of this Department, 



308 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

the future growth and development of this coun- 
try and of its agricultural resources, its popula- 
tion, and its standing among the nations of the 
world must be duly appreciated and considered. 
The possibilities of the present may do for the 
consideration of private enterprise seeking im- 
mediate return on capital invested, but in the af- 
fairs of the nation true prescience is an essential 
attribute to the wise administrator. I must not, 
therefore, be deemed extravagant if I present de- 
signs for the future development of the Depart- 
ment w T hich I conceive to be necessary to meet 
the demands not only of the near future but those 
of a score of years hence. 

"One of the first difficulties confronting the 
head of this Department under its present organi- 
zation is the fact that the number of responsible 
heads of the several branches of the work w T ho 
are in direct consultation with the Secretary or 
his Assistant is too great; and desiring to adhere 
as closely as possible to the methods which have 
been found satisfactory in the administration of 
the other great Departments of the Government, 
I should advise the application of the bureau sys- 
tem which obtains in most of them to the wants 
of this Department. The grouping of the several 
branches of the work into various bureaus, each 
one having for its chief the right kind of man, 
would most sensibly facilitate the administration 
of the work, reducing the number of persons in 



HIS LAST REPORT. 309 

direct consultation with the head of the Depart- 
ment from 18 to 20 down to about one-third of 
that number, and placing the chief of each divi- 
sion, as at present organized, under a chief whom 
he would find readily accessible, and Avho, on his 
part, would secure thorough and systematic co- 
operation between the several divisions grouped 
together under his control. 

"Another advantage of this system is that it 
would provide in the Department several offices 
of sufficient emolument and dignity to attract 
men of the highest standing in the several de- 
partments of the work which it maintains, men 
thoroughly qualified to lead in their several spe- 
cialties, and to command the respect and appre- 
ciation of all workers on the same lines not only 
in this but in foreign countries. Under our pres- 
ent system it is extremely difficult to retain in the 
departmental service men combining the highest 
attainments with administrative capacity. The 
following groups, as the basis of bureau organ- 
ization, suggest themselves to my mind, without, 
however, suggesting names at present other than 
those necessary to indicate the general character 
of each group: 

"First, plant culture, which should embrace the 
present Divisions of Horticulture, Vegetable Pa- 
thology, Pomology, Gardens and Grounds, and 
the Seed Division. 

"Second, biological, to embrace the Divisions 



310 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

of Botany, Ornithology and Mammalogy, and En- 
tomology. 

"Third, statistical, the present division to be 
made a bureau of agricultural statistics, and to 
cover, in addition to its present work, the entire 
field of economic agriculture, the extension of 
markets abroad, and to embrace, say, three divi- 
sions, one of statistics of crop conditions, one of 
agricultural economics, and one of foreign mar- 
kets and crops. 

"Fourth, educational. This should control the 
relations of the Department with the various 
channels of agricultural education, such as agri- 
cultural societies, granges, farmers' institutes, 
etc., and should include the present Office of Ex- 
periment Stations, the Division of Eecords and 
Editing, the Division of Illustrations, the Library 
and Museum, and the Folding and Document 
Room. There should also for the present be in- 
cluded in this group a division of agricultural 
engineering, covering the subjects of drainage, 
irrigation, public roads, farm buildings, etc. 

"The Bureau of Animal Industry is already or- 
ganized, and constitutes a well-defined group as 
it stands, including divisions of inspection, field 
investigation and miscellaneous work, animal 
pathology, and quarantine. 

"The Weather Bureau would also stand with- 
out essential modification. There remain, then, 
not included in any groups enumerated, two 



HIS LAST BE PORT. 311 

highly important divisions, one of which, how- 
ever, Forestry, will, I believe, ere long, if properly 
fostered and administered, develop into a bureau 
embracing at least two divisions, one of scientific 
investigation and study, the other of an adminis- 
trative character and closely akin in its general 
administrative features to the present organiza- 
tion of the Bureau of Animal Industry. 

"To include the Division of Chemistry in any 
of the groups enumerated would be impossible, 
owing to the relations which it must necessarily 
hold to the general scientific chemical work of 
the Department, since the chief, with his princi- 
pal assistants, must be at all times available as 
scientific chemical advisers in any branch of the 
work requiring the highest chemical ability and 
laboratory service. 

"The work of the Department hitherto has been 
but foundation work, as I may say. Moreover, 
until the Department was given its present status 
in the National Government it was impossible 
that even foundation work should be undertaken 
and carried on with any great degree of success, 
from the fact that the ultimate plan of the super- 
structure to be erected upon it had never been 
fully depicted nor carefully laid out. During my 
administration as Secretary my endeavor has 
been to gather together all that was available 
for the future work of the Department, to reor- 
ganize, rearrange, fit, and combine the several 






312 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

branches of the work, adding thereto all that 
seemed necessary to lay a broad and lasting foun- 
dation for the ultimate carrying out of plans 
which I have kept constantly in my mind in per- 
forming the work assigned to me. If in the 
future my humble share of credit in the history 
of the Department should be that I had been in- 
strumental in securely laying a broad and lasting 
foundation for a magnificent superstructure of 
which every American farmer, and, I may say, 
every American citizen, will feel proud, I shall 
be more than compensated for my labors during 
the past few years. 

"The motto of this Department must be 'ever 
onward.' It has, in my opinion, succeeded dur- 
ing the few years since it has been an executive 
department of the Government in impressing 
upon the 10,000,000 of industrious citizens who 
represent the workers in the field of agriculture 
in the United States its capacity to advance their 
interests, and with the growth of this confidence 
on the part of the American farmers, we must not 
forget there is a corresponding growth in the re- 
sponsibilities of the head of this Department. 
The National Government has taken, as it were, 
a contract with the farmers, and to carry it out 
efficiently this Department must be prepared to 
answer all reasonable expectations in bringing 
into the service of agriculture all that science, 
whether in this country or in any other country 



HIS LAST REPORT. 313 

upon the globe, has been able to evolve for its 
benefit. The history of science is a history of 
continual discovery, and all discoveries in the so- 
lution of agricultural problems calculated to 
lighten the burdens of the farmer and increase 
his profits must be made the property of the De- 
partment through the energy and intelligence of 
its head and its responsible officers, and be thus 
made available through them to the farmers of 
the United States. I have already shown the im- 
portant part which agriculture plays in the com- 
mercial interests of the country, and in this re- 
spect also the Department must prove itself a 
capable source of information, an intrepid leader 
into new fields, and a worthy representative of 
the interest upon which all other interests, and 
thus the entire prosperity of our country, de- 
pends. 

"In the earnest hope that the wisdom of suc- 
ceeding administrations may find the men and the 
means to carry on the work of this Department 
to the high destiny which I conceive it to be de- 
signed to attain, I have the honor, Mr. President, 
to submit this, my last report, and I desire, as my 
last word, to express to you my profound appre- 
ciation of the cordial sympathy and broad intelli- 
gence with which you have uniformly, through- 
out your administration, heeded the needs of the 
agricultural interests of this country. While no 
one has been so situated as to understand and 



314 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

appreciate this better than myself, I confidently 
believe that the people, and especially the farm- 
ing people of this country, will learn to appre- 
ciate more and more the fact that the first admin- 
istration during which their representative de- 
partment held the rank of an executive depart- 
ment of the Government was presided over by a 
Chief Executive who never failed to appreciate 
the importance of agriculture, its dignity, and its 
value to the country at large." 



GEN. BUSK'S IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 315 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

GEN. RUSK'S IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 

Secretary Rusk was always regarded as, in a 
special manner, a representative of the farmers 
in the government. He assumed the purpose of 
the creation of a Secretary of Agriculture to be 
a concession by Congress to the farmers, secur- 
ing to the latter, so meagerly represented in our 
national legislature, and so helpless as regards 
the maintenance of a strong central organization 
of their own, a fixed representation in the coun- 
cils of the Chief Executive, and one who could 
and would act as a special adviser in regard to 
legislation needed for or affecting agriculture. 

It is needless to say that Rusk was an ardent 
protectionist, but he was not an extremist, often 
declaring that the worst enemies of protection 
were those who asked for too much, and he held 
strongly to the opinion that protection should be 
afforded to every product of domestic industry, 
whether in field or factory, threatened or liable 
to be threatened with foreign competition in our 
home markets. 



316 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

In the following article, in which he presented 
his views as a protectionist to the News Record 
of Chicago on October 5th, 1S92, his attitude 
toward the farmers is plainly seen: 

"The question of protection has been the sub- 
ject of so much discussion, and discussion by peo- 
ple who looked at the subject from a single point 
of view, that it has become very much involved, 
and people frequently refer to it as a subject so 
ponderous and so complicated as to make its con- 
sideration and its solution difficult for the ordi- 
nary individual. This is unfortunate, as it is a 
question which is of special interest to the ordi- 
nary individual. 

"The main difficulty lies in the fact that people 
have mixed up in their discussion two things 
which ought to have been kept separate — namely, 
the principle of protection and its application. 
You will find, for instance, a great many people 
quoting Gen. Hancock's declaration that the tar- 
iff was a local question, and declaring that the 
more they think of it the more convinced they 
are that he was right. But it is impossible that 
this remark could apply to the principle of pro- 
tection, while it must necessarily apply to the 
application of protection. Consequently, to be 
perfectly clear, when I speak of protection and 
call myself a protectionist I refer to the principle 
of protection — namely, the levying of a tariff not 
simply for revenue, but for the purpose also of 



GEN. RUSK'S IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 317 

protecting our American industries from de- 
structive foreign competition. When I speak of 
the tariff I refer merely to the application of this 
principle; for the same reason I discard the terms 
'high tariff' and 'low tariff' as expressing a prin- 
ciple. 

"A low tariff may produce a greater revenue 
than a higher tariff, so I may argue in favor of a 
low tariff on certain goods and a high tariff on 
other goods, as either seems to me necessary in 
order to protect this or that industry in our own 
country from a foreign competition that might 
prove destructive, without in either case surren- 
dering one iota of my principles as a protection- 
ist. The principle I adhere to in both cases is to 
give as much protection as is adequate to be thor- 
oughly protected and no more. I think if we 
would steadily avoid confounding the details of 
tariff legislation with the principle of protection 
we would avoid a great deal of trouble; we would 
clear the air of much misunderstanding and preju- 
dice, and, what is more, I believe firmly that a 
majority of the American people would be found 
to be protectionists. 

"Now, when it comes to a question of the tar- 
iff, the principle of protection having been ac- 
cepted, the whole thing revolves itself into an 
investigation as to the practical conditions of the 
various industries of the United States, the cost 

of producing certain articles in foreign countries 



I 



313 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

and the cost of producing them in the United 
States, our duty being so to adjust the tariff upon 
every class of goods as to equalize this cost and 
not to allow any foreign producer to sell his 
goods in our country to the disadvantage of 
American labor. In other words, on all articles 
except those we can not produce or manufacture 
ourselves under any circumstances I would levy 
a duty sufficient to make foreign goods cost, when 
landed and duty paid in any port of the United 
States, fully as much as the same goods in this 
country amounts to; and this I believe in, with- 
out any reference to the old accepted argument of 
'infant industries/ 

"I would stick to this principle all the wa^ 
through, except only in the case of foreign goods 
coming from countries which could make such 
concessions on American goods as would fully 
offset any concessions we might make to them — 
for I am a believer in reciprocity. In fact, so 
long ago as April, 1890, in a communication 
which I prepared to send to all persons — and they 
were legion — who addressed me on the subject of 
agricultural depression, I referred to the advan- 
tages of reciprocity as follows: 

" 'Accompanying this principle of protection to 
the American farmer is that of reciprocity, which 
should invariably be applied whenever that of 
protection is relaxed. If there are products 
grown to better advantage in other countries, re- 



GEN. BUSK'S IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 319 

mission of duty on which would seem to be in the 
interest of a large portion of our population, such 
remission should only be accorded as the result 
of reciprocal concession in the way of a remission 
of duties by such other countries on products 
more readily grown here. Many of those coun- 
tries which would be specially benefited by a re- 
mission of the duty on sugar by our government, 
would afford an excellent market for our bread- 
stuffs and dairy and meat products were it not 
for the high duties imposed thereon by them. So 
with other products, and whenever duty on such 
products is lowered or removed, and the protec- 
tion to our farmers thus diminished, it should be 
as the price of concessions made to us in the tar- 
iff of other countries in favor of our own farm 
products. In this way and in this way only can 
our farmers be adequately protected, new mar- 
kets being thus thrown open to them for those 
products which they can most easily and cheaply 
produce.' 

"At the same time I think it will very seldom 
be found necessary to surrender adequate pro- 
tective duties on any foreign goods such as we 
can manufacture in this country. Our reciprocal 
relations with countries in the temperate zone, 
growing largely the same kind of agricultural 
products and living under comparatively the 
same conditions, will always be very limited. But 
just as we have exemplified in the case of sugar, 



320 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

of which, at present, we do not produce a quan- 
tity sufficient for our domestic supply, so in re- 
gard to tea, coffee and spices, which come to us 
from tropical or semi-tropical countries, there is 
a considerable opportunity for the exercise of this 
sound economic principle. I would have America 
buy these goods in countries that buy American 
goods, putting a duty upon such as come to us 
from countries that put a duty upon our goods. 

"In the case of any new industry, such as might 
properly be termed an infant industry, if it could 
be shown to me that there was a reasonable pros- 
pect of such being eventually established on a 
sound footing in this country, I should be willing 
to afford them for a time even greater protection 
than would be necessary to simply equalize the 
cost of home and foreign products when offered 
for sale in the United States. 

"I can not see that there are any insuperable 
difficulties in carrying out the principle of pro- 
tection in this way. It is a matter simply for 
practical investigation, in order that we may 
know just what rate of duty will furnish our 
home manufacturers and producers adequate pro- 
tection. I say manufacturers and producers, be- 
cause I wish to be distinctly understood as advo- 
cating adequate protection for all American in- 
dustries, and I have no more patience with this 
free raw material talk than I have with free-trade 
talk. 



GEN BUSICS IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 321 

"It is American labor we want to protect, and 
American homes, and I do not, as a consistent 
protectionist, regard as a subject for free trade 
any article into the production of which, in a 
form available for use, American labor enters. 
If the conditions are such, for instance, in Can- 
ada, that a Canadian farmer can raise certain 
crops more cheaply than we can, I would protect 
our American farmers by putting such a duty on 
these products that Canadian farmers could not 
undersell them. In the same manner I w ould pro- 
tect our fruit growers from Mediterranean fruits, 
and would encourage the fibre industry in our 
own country, so that eventually the bulk of our 
hemp, flax and other vegetable fibres should be 
produced at home. I am for the protection of the 
American laborer's home and labor, but I am 
equally intent on protecting the American 
farmer's home and labor. 

"Some time ago I received a letter from an 
editor of a journal published in the south, asking 
me if I was aware that the importation of 
Egyptian cotton had greatly increased during 
the last few years, and whether, that being the 
case, I would favor protecting the cotton-grower 
in this country by the imposition of a duty on 
foreign cottons. I replied that if it was found 

possible to grow cotton in this country possessing 
the characteristics which induced our cotton man- 
ufacturers to send to Egypt or elsewhere for cer- 
21 



322 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

tain cottons, I certainly should, and I may state 
incidentally that this department is now engaged 
in cooperation with certain experiment stations 
in the cotton states, in an endeavor to ascertain 
whether these cottons, or cottons possessing the 
same characteristics as those we now import, can 
be produced in the United States. 

"I trust and believe that as the result of care- 
ful experiment with foreign cotton seed we will 
be able in time to produce every variety of cotton 
needed by the manufacturer, and when that time 
comes I shall be ready to give our cotton pro- 
ducers all the protection they require, even, for a 
time, to the extent of imposing on foreign cotton 
a duty so high as to be prohibitive. For the pro- 
duction of these new varieties of cotton in this 
country would, in my opinion, properly come 
under the head, for a time at least, of an infant 
industry. 

"The other day T came across an interesting 
statement in regard to one class of foreign, 
the imports of which have increased from four- 
teen bales in 1885, to more than 12,000 bales last 
year; I refer to rough Peruvian cotton, which, I 
am informed on good authority, is not used at all 
by cotton manufacturers, but which is, owing to 
its peculiar characteristics, exclusively used by 
woolen manufacturers for admixture with wool 
in the manufacture of woolen goods. My in- 
formant added that 'if the framers of our last 



GEN. RUSK'S IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 323 

tariff had known of the peculiar qualities of this 
cotton, it would doubtless have been subjected to 
a good round duty in the interest of the wool- 
growers of the United States.' And I will add 
that I think it would, and that I, for one, would 
have advocated it. 

"It may be interesting to call attention to the 
fact here that our total imports of foreign cottons 
have increased from the fiscal year ending in 
1SS5 to the fiscal year just closed, from 4,567 
bales in the first-mentioned year to 36,000 bales 
in the last. So you see we are not any too soon in 
undertaking experiments with a view to supply- 
ing ourselves with a home-grown product to take 
the place of these foreign cottons. 

"There is another form of protection which I 
firmly believe should be at all times afforded to 
our people. I refer to protection from fraudulent 
or adulterated goods. All such goods should be 
subjected either to a tariff high enough to be pro- 
hibitive or should be prohibited absolutely. 
Under the circumstances it will not be a surprise 
that I should regard our present tariff as coming 
nearer to the true standard of protection than any 
we have had heretofore. 

"The discussion of tariff details is not, in my 
opinion, the essential thing in the present cam- 
paign. I would confine the issue to protection 
or no protection, and, as I said before, I am firmly 
convinced that the majority of the American peo- 



324 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

pie are in favor of the principle of protection to 
American industries, whether these be repre- 
sented by manufacturers or by farmers. Such 
being the case, there ought to be no question in 
aDy man's mind as to leaving the tariff to be ad- 
justed by that party which is, and always has 
been, the firm advocate of this principle of pro- 
tection. 

"The argument that a protective tariff is un- 
constitutional will not stand for a minute. Con- 
gress has a perfect right to enact such laws as 
are designed for the greatest good of the greatest 
number. If it can be shown that a protective 
duty on any particular article is not for the 
greatest good of the greatest number, it can be 
surrendered without any surrender of the prin- 
ciple of protection; but as long as the majority of 
the American people are believers in that prin- 
ciple, the ultimate decision in such cases should 
be left to those who are protectionists on prin- 
ciple. 

"A great deal has been said as to whether the 
tariff is a tax paid by our own people, or whether 
it is paid by the foreign producer. So far as that 
is concerned, I believe that the tariff is on some 
articles and under some conditions a burden 
borne by our own people, and in other cases it is 
as clearly a burden borne by the foreign pro- 
ducers. In other words, it largely depends on 
the question of supply and demand. Where con- 



GEN. RUSK'S IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 325 

ditions are such that the purchaser is in a meas- 
ure dependent on the seller, the purchaser must 
pay the tariff, but where the seller must, to get 
rid of his goods, offer inducements to the pur- 
chaser, the duty will be paid by the foreign pro- 
ducer, and this I believe to be the case in regard 
to the largest number of articles upon which we 
levy duty; but however it may be, I hold firmly 
that the greatest good of the greatest number 
demands the adequate protection of our home- 
grown or home-manufactured products. 

"While I have the floor, as it were, I can not 
drop this subject without reference to the vast, 
and, at present greatly preponderating interest of 
our farmers in our foreign trade. During the 
fiscal year just ended, our exports, for the first 
time in our history, exceeded $1,000,000,000; and, 
at the same time, as though to emphasize the 
relations of our agriculture and our foreign trade, 
the proportion of agricultural exports increased 
in the same year to over 78 per cent, of the total, 
an excess of 3 to 4 per cent, over the record of the 
last few years. 

"The battles of the future will not be fought 
with balls and bayonets for territorial possession 
so much as with brains for the possession of 
commercial advantages, and consequently I be- 
lieve that in the battles of the future between 
rival nations, protection must play a very im- 
portant part. But it should not be considered by 



326 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

itself alone, but as a part of a general system, 
the ultimate result of which will be to furnish us 
with large markets for our main products and at 
the same time to secure to our own producers and 
manufacturers our own home markets, free 
from disastrous foreign competition. 

"Protection must go hand in hand with reci- 
procity, by which we can afford to receive on 
most liberal terms non-competing products from 
countries that reciprocate with us, and it must go 
hand in hand with the spreading of information 
throughout all foreign countries of the character 
and extent of our own products, with such efforts, 
in fact, as I have exemplified, so far as my facili- 
ties would allow, in reference to the introduction 
of Indian corn into Europe; and it must go hand 
in hand with the application to our agriculture 
in this country of brains, intelligence and study, 
so as to greatly increase the number of articles 
we produce for the consumption of our own 
people. 

"By reducing our wants for foreign products to 
a minimum and enlarging by every legitimate 
means the foreign demand for those products of 
which we produce a surplus, and by a judicious 
protection of our home industries, we Americans 
can rest in the comfortable assurance of a grand 
commercial future, which will enable us to attain 
a national prosperity hitherto unrecorded in the 
history of nations." 



GEN. RUSK'S IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 327 

The above article contains an extract from a 
general letter, issued in April, 1890, in reply to in- 
numerable inquiries, almost amounting to de- 
mands, for an expression of opinion on the gen- 
pral agricultural depression, which shows that of 
all President Harrison's advisors Secretary Eusk 
was the first to publicly advocate the principle of 
reciprocity afterwards so clearly recognized in 
the tariff act of 1890. At the same time it may 
be noted that the retaliatory clause of the Act of 
August 30, 1890 (Sec. 5), was more than once in- 
voked by him in reference especially to the 
markedly illiberal policy maintained by certain 
foreign governments towards our cattle and meat 
products. 

The general letter referred to, which was given 
to the press, so fully states the views held by 
Secretary Rusk at the time of its publication that 
it is here quoted in full: 

"U. S. Department of Agriculture, 
Office of the Secretary, 
Washington, D. C, April 21, 1890. 

AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION, ITS CAUSES AND POS- 
SIBLE REMEDIES. 

For months past from all parts of the country, 
there have reached me communications, many of 
them from large bodies of men, all of them from 
persons deserving consideration, and all of them 



328 JEREMIA H M. R USK. 

deeply in earnest respecting the present condi- 
tion of agricultural depression. In most cases 
the communications suggest the conviction of 
the writers, not only as to the gravity of the 
emergency, but as to its cause or causes and pos- 
sible remedies, and all of them appeal to me for 
some expression of my views on the subject. To 
answer each one of these communications separ- 
ately, would be more than any one man can un- 
dertake to do, and, moreover, I am reluctant to 
send out an expression of my views in letters con- 
vering merely a phase or a portion of the ques- 
tions involved. Such a course would be unjust 
to myself and to those who address me. I can 
only consent to express my views, such as they 
are, on the entire question, reviewing the whole 
subject and considering it in all its various 
phases. 

It would be a work of superogation at this time 
to undertake to prove the existence of severe agri- 
cultural depression. This is universally ad- 
mitted. Representative farmers and farmers' 
associations are constantly calling my attention 
to their condition, urging the necessity for some 
measure of relief. The situation warrants all 
the attention which our wisest minds can devote 
to it. 

What is to be done? Such is the question 
which confronts every thinking man. Too many 
of those who are giving the matter consideration 



GEN. BUSEPS IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 329 

look at it from only one point of view. One 
attributes the difficulty to one cause, and one to 
another, and most people seem to regard two or 
three causes at most as entirely responsible for 
the present condition of affairs. This is a mis- 
take. The fact, however, explains to a certain 
extent that some of the remedies proposed, bid 
fair, if carried out, to bring about a result as ob- 
jectionable as is the present situation. Great 
discouragement is very apt to lead to extrav- 
agance in devising remedial agencies, and we 
must beware of remedies that may be worse than 
the disease. It is only by a very careful diag- 
nosis of the case, that we can possibly attain to 
efficient remedy. The present agricultural de- 
pression, it seems to me, can be traced to a com- 
bination of many causes, so many, that probably 
no one man can enumerate them all. I will only 
endeavor to point out some which seem to me 
more directly responsible. They may be divided 
into two classes. First: Those causes inherent 
to the farmers themselves, and for which they 
alone can provide a possible remedy. Second: 
Those over which the farmer himself has no 
direct control, and the remedy for which must be 
provided as far as remedy is possible, by law, and 
for such legislation the responsibility devolves 
upon the legislative bodies of the States and of 
the Nation. 

I will confine mvself to a mere enumeration of 



330 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

the first class of causes indicated. On many 
farms, I regret to say, we find a depreciation of 
the productive power of the land due to careless 
culture. We find a want too often of business- 
like methods, due to the fact that in earlier times, 
business training was not regarded as an essen- 
tial preparation for the farmer's work, whereas, 
today with altered conditions, when every penny, 
and I may say every moment of time has to be 
profitably accounted for and in the face of world- 
wide competition, a successful farmer must be as 
well trained and careful in business as the store- 
keeper, and his equal in intelligence and general 
education. Nor are the important questions of 
supply and demand of market prices studied with 
the vigilance which characterizes the methods of 
our merchants and manufacturers. These last 
moreover, have the advantage of transacting 
their business in immediate proximity to trade 
centers, where the widest information in refer- 
ence thereto is readily obtainable. Our farmers* 
organizations are wisely seeking to supplement 
this want for the farmer; the agricultural press 
is earnestly working in the same direction and 
one of the most important duties devolving upon 
this Department, consists in gathering and 
promptly distributing reliable information on all 
those subjects which are essentially interesting 
to the farmer. It remains for him to avail him- 
self of the information thus supplied as his chief 



GEN. BUSK'S IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 331 

protection not only against over-supply of certain 
products, but against possible over-reaching on 
the part of purchasers. The farmer must look 
with suspicion upon any attempts to abridge the 
sources of his information. His advantage will 
always be in the fullest knowledge of the facts. 
He must carefully study the character and the 
quality of his products rather than mere quan- 
tity, and always bear in mind, that whether 
prices are high, or low, it is always the best goods 
at the best obtainable prices that are the most 
readily sold. Many of our farmers have been 
land-greedy, and find themselves the owners of 
more land than they can properly care for in view 
of the comparatively high price of labor in the 
rural districts, and in view of the fact that but a 
small portion of mankind, comparatively, cau 
profitably control the labor of others. The pru- 
dent farmer will limit his efforts to that which he 
can efficiently perform. Again, — more attention 
must be given, especially on our Western farms, 
to the raising by the farmer, for his own use, 
everything that may be utilized by himself and 
his household, as far as soil and climate will per- 
mit. 

I have passed over these various causes briefly. 
I do not deem it necessary to dwell upon them at 
length, but will merely reiterate the fact, that 
for them the remedy is feasible, and it depends 
upon the farmers themselves to provide it. No 



332 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

one can relieve them of this responsibility, but I 
am thankful to say, that owing partly to their 
own efforts, there exist today in many States, val- 
uable instrumentalities capable of materially aid- 
ing them in their work, and today in this coun- 
try no farmer need be without all the aid that 
knowledge and science can impart. 

FARM MORTGAGES. 

The burden of mortgages upon farms, homes 
and lands, is unquestionably discouraging in the 
extreme, and while in some cases no doubt this 
load may have been too readily assumed, still in 
the majority of cases, the mortgage has been the 
result of necessity. I except of course, such 
mortgages as represent balances of purchase 
money, which are rather evidences of the farmer's 
ambition and enterprise than of his poverty. On 
the other hand, those mortgages with which land 
has been encumbered from the necessities of its 
owner, drawing high rates of interest, often taxed 
in addition with a heavy commission, have today, 
in the face of continued depression in the prices 
of staple products, became very irksome and in 
many cases threaten the farmer with* loss of home 
and land. It is a question of grave difficulty to 
all those who seek to remedy the ills from which 
our farmers are suffering. At present prices the 
farmer finds that it takes more of his products to 



Q EN B US IP S IDEA S ON PRO TEC TION. 333 

get a dollar wherewith to pay back the dollar he 
borrowed than it did "when he borrowed it. The 
interest accumulates, while payment of the prin- 
cipal seems utterly hopeless, and the very depres- 
sion which we are discussing makes the renewal 
of the mortgage most difficult. Many people are 
disposed to associate this phase of the subject 
with the question of an undue limitation of our 
currency. Many carry this line of argument to 
extremes, but it is by no means impossible that 
these subjects are corelated. However the ques- 
tion of currency is now receiving special atten- 
tion from another branch of the government; 
legislation on the subject is now pending before 
Congress and we can no doubt look for an early 
and satisfactory solution of this vexed problem. 

TRANSPORTATION. 

The question of transportation is one of pro- 
found interest to the American farmer. The 
trouble begins near home, between the farm and 
the nearest railroad station. It would be diffi- 
cult to estimate the amount of loss in time and 
labor, in depreciation and wear and tear of horses 
and conveyances, entailed upon the farmers by 
the wretched condition of country roads before 
arriving at the station; he there meets the vexed 
question of freight rates, a difficult one to settle 
satisfactorily to all parties under any circum- 



334 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

stances, but in many cases still further compli- 
cated by the condition of our whole railroad sys- 
tem. Many of the roads were built at a time and 
under conditions that greatly enhanced their cost. 
Competing lines built under more favorable cir- 
cumstances, present comparisons of inequality 
which often seem like injustice and on the other 
hand it must not be forgotten, that many roads 
are over-taxing their constituents in an effort to 
secure dividends upon a total capital and bonded 
debt, a portion of which is purely fictitious. That 
many roads fail to pay any dividends at all, while 
the total profits of the railroads throughout the 
country represent but a comparatively small divi- 
dend upon the actual cost of construction, plant 
and equipment, still in no wise palliates the griev- 
ous wrong of attempting to secure a profit upon 
fictitious values. It is still too early to suggest 
any important modifications in the Inter-State 
Commerce law. A fuller trial is needed to judge 
properly of its effects and to suggest judicious 
amendments. The condition of our agriculture is 
such that a large proportion of our farmers must 
depend upon facilities for reaching distant mar- 
kets, and the law will hardly accomplish its pur- 
pose of securing the greatest good for the great- 
est number, if its ultimate result should be to 
raise the cost of the long haul. Its most valuable 
office will be to prevent injustice by forbidding 
the granting by the railroads of special privileges 



GEN. BUSICS IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 335 

to certain classes or corporations, which are de- 
nied to the community at large. 

THE MIDDLE MAN. 

"Another cause operating to depress the price 
of the farmer's honest toil, is the undue increase 
of the class of middle-men and the dishonesty and 
greed of many of them. Hence the wide gulf be- 
tween the high prices charged to the consumer, 
and the low prices paid to the producer. The 
middle-man within certain limits must be re- 
garded as a necessity. There are many things 
he can do for the farmers which the latter cannot 
do so profitably for themselves, and under such 
conditions it is wise to employ him. The evil 
which exists at the present day in this direction 
could undoubtedly be mitigated by, first, a fa- 
miliarity on the part of the farmer himself with 
the market value of that which he has to sell, and 
second, a better system of cooperation among the 
farmers both in the disposal of their crops, and 
in the purchase of their supplies. 

GAMBLING IN FARM PRODUCTS. 

Few there are but are familiar with and de- 
plore the conversion of our exchanges and boards 
of trade, originally designed for the encourage- 
ment and convenience of legitimate trading, into 



336 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

vast gambling places, fraught with the gravest 
danger to the country at large, but of which the 
farmer, whose products are thus made the toy 
and plaything of the game, is the immediate and 
chief sufferer. The frequent and extreme fluc- 
tuations of price occasioned by the operation of 
irresponsible speculators is the bane of the pro- 
ducer, whose best interests will ever be served by 
the maintenance of a firm and reliable market. 
To the allegation, not infrequently made, that if 
at times prices are thus unduly depressed, there 
are also times when they are unduly raised, there 
is a simple reply. As already asserted, not only 
are fluctuation and uncertainty the bane of the 
producer, but the speculative combinations which 
result in unduly raising or depressing prices are 
carefully calculated to raise them when the goods 
are no longer in the producer's hands and to de- 
press them when they are. Unquestionably legis- 
lation is needed to remedy this evil, and it should 
be based on the principle that the evil is not a 
necessary one, requiring regulation, but an ut- 
terly inexcusable one, to be cured by eradication. 

CONTROLLING COMBINATIONS. 

Much has been said and written alleging the 
existence of unlawful combinations for the ex- 
press purpose of so controlling the markets as to 
lower the price of the farmer's products, and of 



GEN. BUSK'S IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 337 

other combinations whose object is to raise the 
price of the articles which the farmer consumes. 
That such combinations exist it is impossible to 
doubt, and the serious results of their greed and 
selfishness are enhanced by the grave difficulties 
attending any effort to limit their evil effects. 
This is one of those evils so closely allied to the 
matter of interstate commerce, that its regulation 
may possibly fall within the legitimate province 
of national legislation. The great difficulty lies 
in the close observance of that line of demarca- 
tion which clearly exists between combinations 
for mutual self-help, protection, and the advance- 
ment by legitimate means of the interests of a 
class, craft, or industry and combinations or 
trusts inspired by greed, whose objects are unat- 
tainable save as they infringe upon the legitimate 
rights of others. In spite of these difficulties, 
however, there cannot be any doubt that an 
earnest demand for adequate legislation on this 
subject, sustained by popular opinion, receiving 
the earnest attention of our strongest minds, will 
eventually result in some adequate means of con- 
trolling this gigantic evil. 



PROTECTION FOR THE FARMER. 

I now come to the consideration of one of the 
gravest causes in my opinion of the present agri- 
cultural depression, but which I am happy to 



338 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

state can be effectually and directly dealt with 
through national legislation. Few people realize 
that our imports of agricultural products esti- 
mated at prices paid by the consumers are about 
equal to our agricultural exports estimated at 
prices paid to the farmer, yet such is the case. 
Our imports of products sold in competition with 
those actually produced on our own soil, amount 
to nearly 115 million dollars and as much more 
could be produced on our own soil under favor- 
able conditions. We must surely conclude that 
we have here another cause of depression. The 
subject is so vast that I cannot dismiss it briefly. 
Indeed I can do no better than to repeat here 
views already expressed by me on this subject. 

IMPORTS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. 

Of all the wonderful phases of development of 
w r hich the United States furnishes such striking 
examples, none is perhaps more remarkable, than 
the wonderful increase, totally disproportionate 
to our increase of population, in our imports of 
products, which are distinctly agricultural. In 
1S50 the imports of such products amounted to 
40 million dollars; for the fiscal year ending in 
18S9, they amounted to the enormous sum of 356 
millions, an increase of nearly 900 per cent., while 
the increase in population during the correspond- 
ing period, was considerably less than 300 per 



GEN. BUSK'S IDEAS OX PROTECTION. 3£Q 

cent. This is all the more remarkable when 
taken in conjunction with the fact, that this is 
preeminently an agricultural country, opening 
up year after year, with a rapidity which has 
alarmed the producers of the Old World, immense 
tracts of country to be devoted exclusively to till- 
age; all the more remarkable when we realize 
furthermore that over 70 per cent, of our total 
exports are the direct product of the soil. Ac- 
companying this extraordinary movement, there 
has been during the past decade, in which the 
greatest increase of such imports has taken place, 
a steady decrease in the prices of home grown products. 
To any reasonable man the conclusion must be 
obvious; namely, that in the line of products, with 
the exception of cotton, upon which our farmers 
chiefly depend, there has grown up a well-nigh 
ruinous competition in which the labor of the 
peasant of Europe, of the miserable fellah of 
Egypt, and of the unfortunate half-starved Indian 
ryot, working for pauper wages, neglecting all the 
amenities of life in order that women and chil- 
dren as well as men may work in the fields, is 
pitted against that of the American farmer, re- 
lying upon his own and his son's labor, or where 
he employs hired help, paying them a fair rate 
of wages according to our American standard, 
besides providing them with the same food and 
shelter as he gives to his own family. 



340 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

Growing a surplus of wheat, that surplus, 
whose price is forced down by the competition of 
Eussia and India, regulates the price of the entire 
crop. The product of our vast corn fields, for 
which a comparatively insignificant foreign de- 
mand exists, must be utilized largely by the 
farmer for the raising of cattle and hogs. The 
foreign market for live cattle which exists in 
Great Britain is so hampered by the oppressive 
regulations requiring slaughter at point of land- 
ing, as to exercise little or no beneficial influence 
on the price of his product while the obstructive 
measures adopted by several of the Continental 
countries in regard to American pork has reduced 
the exports of that product since 18S1 over 40 per 
cent, annually. Under such circumstances there 
can be but one cause assignable for the neglect 
by American farmers to turn their attention to 
other crops in the line of such agricultural prod- 
ucts as we now import, and that is that in this 
they would meet an even more overwhelming and 
disastrous competition than they are now con- 
fronted with, in the raising of cereals and live 
stock. Obviously then, the only course possible 
to enlightened statesmanship, is to assure to the 
farmer adequate protection in the diversification 
of his crops and the production of a larger pro- 
portion of the articles which we now import. 

These may be summarized as follows, the fig- 



GEN. RUSK'S IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 341 

ures given, being for the fiscal year ending June 
30, 1S89, and the values, those at the ports of ex- 
port: 

Sugar and Molasses 93,301,894 

Animals and their products, except 

wool 42,263,014 

Fibers, Animal and Vegetable 59,453,936 

Miscellaneous, inch bread-stuffs, fruits, 
hay, hops, oils, rice, seed, tobacco, 

vegetables and wines, etc 71,254,S94 

For obvious reasons I omit any reference here 
to the 90 millions expended for tea, coffee and 
cocoa, but omitting these, we have still the enor- 
mous sum of |266,273,738 imports of agricultural 
products, the far greater part of which, amount- 
ing probably to not less than 240 or 250 millions, 
could, with proper encouragement, be produced 
on our own soil. The establishment of our Agri- 
cultural Stations, the energetic research by the 
Department of Agriculture into the resources of 
different sections of this country, investigation of 
their soils and climate, and the application, in 
general, of scientific principles to agriculture, all 
combining, make this assurance doubly sure, pro- 
vided always, that this diversification be encour- 
aged and fostered b}' the application of the prin- 
ciple of protection to the development of new in- 
dustries on the farm. It is simply the extension 
to our agriculture of the protection so bene- 
ficially extended in the past to our manufacturing 



342 JEREMIAH 31. JS USK. 

industries. In the days when the farmers were 
prosperous, when good crops were accompanied 
with high prices, and the value of agricultural 
land went up accordingly, the farmers to a man, 
stood by the principle of protection urged on be- 
half of the manufacturers, who, burdened then 
with the heavy load of taxation imposed upon 
them by the Civil War, were threatened with 
grave disaster in the face of European competi- 
tion. Now in the face of the severe competition 
which +oday confronts the farmer in foreign mar- 
kets, duty, fairness, and in the long run, self-in- 
terest demand that we should afford him the ben- 
efits of a home market for all that he may be able 
to produce on our own soil. This includes all the 
sugar and molasses, all animal products, wool, 
silk, flax and other fibers, all our bread-stuffs, 
fruits, hay, hops, rice, tobacco, vegetables and 
wines; but many of these things will never, can 
never be produced on American soil in competi- 
tion with the labor of European nations, espe- 
cially when, as in the case of sugar, the industry 
abroad has been helped by liberal government 
bounties. It is w^orth while noting that the price 
per pound of the great bulk of the sugar im- 
ported, was at the point of shipment, 2.91 cents. 
It should also be borne in mind, that while we 
estimate in our statistics the value of imports at 
the price in the foreign port of shipment, the 
value of the export is on the other hand estimated 



GEN. BUSK'S IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 343 

at the price at the port of shipment in our coun- 
try, so that to the former must he added, trans- 
portation, commissions, exchange and dealers' 
profits, which, without the duty, would add fully 
25 to 30 per cent, more to arrive at its value at 
the point of consumption- — this would bring up 
the cost, to the consumer, of our agricultural im- 
ports, to nearly 500 millions, or, estimating solely 
such as could be with proper encouragement 
grown on our own soil, we have a value of not 
much less thau 350 million dollars as the possible 
reward of diversified agriculture, a sum almost 
equal to our agricultural exports, estimated at 
farmers' prices — that is less cost of transporta- 
tion and commissions or other shipping charges 
to point of shipment. 

COMPETITION ON OUR OWN LAND. 

Before leaving this subject, a glance at the com- 
petition which our farmers have hitherto been 
compelled to meet, even on our own soil, will be 
found most interesting. Of the 7 or 8 million 
dollars worth of live animals imported into this 
country, the greater proportion were of ordinary 
marketable stock, as contra-distinguished from 
pure bred stock imported for breeding purposes 
and admitted free. Of all other animal products, 
including wool, there is not one that cannot now, 
indeed that is not now being raised upon our own 



344 JEREMIAH 31. RUSK. 

soil, and yet, including wool and hides, the im- 
ports of these animal products amounted in the 
year referred to, to over 60 million dollars; to 
this add 20 millions for fruits; 8 millions for bar- 
ley; over 2 millions for hay and hops; 3 and one- 
half millions for rice; 11 millions for tobacco; 3 
millions for oils; 2 and one-half millions worth of 
vegetables, the same of eggs; over a million dol- 
lars worth of cheese, — these represent some of 
the imports, aggregating nearly 115 million dol- 
lars, which, in spite of the productiveness of our 
own soil, are brought into this country and sold 
in competition with our farmers. The region of 
the United States where this competition is 
doubtless most severely felt, is in New England, 
the seat of manufacturing enterprises which owe 
their existence to the fostering care of protective 
tariff laws, and what is the result? That year 
after year, farms in New England States are 
abandoned and allowed to run to waste, while 
in some of them so startling has this evil become, 
that legislators are cudgeling their brains to de- 
vise some method of re-populating their aban- 
doned agricultural lands. 

One glance at the comparative rates of duty 
levied upon agricultural as compared with other 
products, one glance at the free list, the greater 
portion of which consists of agricultural prod- 
ucts, either grown or which could be grown upon 
our own soil, and a comparison of these figures 



GEN. RVSICS IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 345 

with the average rate of duty levied upon manu- 
factured articles, ought to be sufficient to silence 
forever, any opposition to the demand I have 
made on behalf of the American farmer in my 
Annual Report, namely— that by a wise applica- 
tion of our admirable protective system all the 
benefits of our home market be secured to him 
for everything he may be able to produce. 

FOREIGN MARKETS. 

Accompanying this principle of protection to 
the American farmer, is that of reciprocity, which 
should invariably be applied whenever that of 
protection is relaxed. If there are products 
grown to better advantage in other countries, re- 
mission of duty on which would seem to be in the 
interest of a large portion of our population, such 
remission should only be accorded as the result 
of reciprocal concession in the way of a remission 
of duties by such other countries on products 
more readily grown here. Many of those coun- 
tries which would be specially benefited by a re- 
mission of the duty on sugar by our government, 
would afford an excellent market for our bread- 
stuffs and dairy and meat products, were it not 
for the high duties imposed thereon by them. So 
with other products, and whenever duty on such 
products is lowered or removed and the protec- 
tion to our farmers thus diminished, it should be 



346 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

as the price of concessions made to ns in the tar- 
iff of other countries in favor of our own farm 
products. In this way, and in this way only, can 
our farmers be adequately protected, new mar- 
kets being thus thrown open to them for those 
products which they can most easily and cheaply 
produce. 

To farmers producing, as do ours, a vast sur- 
plus of agricultural products the question of for- 
eign markets is and should be deeply interesting. 
Not only do they offer an outlet for this surplus, 
but if untramelled by irksome restrictions and 
uncontrolled by combinations such as I have re- 
ferred to elsewhere, they serve as useful checks 
upon those who might otherwise succeed in con- 
trolling our home markets. Unfortunately, irk- 
some restrictions do exist and especially is this 
the case with reference to our live-stock industry. 
Evidence is not wanting that a demand exists in 
Great Britain for our live-stock, and but for the 
oppressive restrictions imposed by the British 
government, and said to be necessary owing to 
the alleged existence of contagious diseases 
among American cattle, there is little doubt but 
a large proportion of our product of live cattle 
would find there a profitable market, thus greatly 
relieving our home markets. So with our pork 
products, oppressed by the embargoes placed 
upon them by certain European powers, with the 
result of an enormous decrease during the past 



GEN BUSEPS IDEAS ON PE0TECT10N. 347 

six years in our exports of bacon and hams; for 
whereas these exports in 1879, 1880 and 1881 
averaged about 745,000,000 pounds, they had 
fallen in 18S3 to less than 400,000,000, and until 
last year never exceeded 420,000,000. The effect 
of this has naturally been to greatly restrict com- 
petition among purchasers, and to seriously de- 
press the price of our hogs. Aided as the farm- 
ers and cattle growers must be by supplying them 
with authentic statistics as to supply and de- 
mand of their products, much remains for them 
to do directly through their own intelligent and 
active cooperation directed to an intelligent con- 
trol of the supply. This is a matter worthy of 
the earnest attention of our numerous farmers' 
organizations. On the other hand, the national 
government owes it to the farming and cattle 
growing community that no effort shall be spared 
to secure a removal of those restrictions upon our 
live-stock and meat trade which we know to be 
unnecessary, and therefore feel to be unjust. 
First of all we must maintain an absolute and ef- 
ficient control of cattle diseases, and pursue with 
the utmost energy the course which has resulted 
today in the almost complete extirpation from 
American soil of the most dreaded disease of all, 
contagious pleuro-pneumonia. The energetic ap- 
plication of efficient measures must effectually 
stamp out this disease from its last remaining 
stronghold, and once banished from American 



348 JEREMIAH M. HUSK. 

soil it must be kept out by the most rigid regula- 
tions. As to our meat products, I can see but 
one way to accomplish the desired results, and 
that is by the enactment of a thoroughly efficient 
meat inspection law. 

Another duty devolves upon us in connection 
with our foreign markets, and that is a careful 
study of their wants. It is a^ stigma upon Ameri- 
can agriculture that our butter exports, for in- 
stance, should be reported as small in quantity 
and poor in quality, and that the South Ameri- 
can supply should be largely derived from Euro- 
pean countries. 

Having taken all precautions necessary to 
guarantee the immunity of our live-stock from 
disease and the healthfulness of our meat prod- 
ucts, we must then protect them from unjust al- 
legations on the part of foreign competitors and, 
as not infrequently happens, of foreign govern- 
ments or their representatives. To do this it be- 
comes necessary that we should maintain, at- 
tached to some of the American legations abroad, 
a properly qualified officer representing the Agri- 
cultural interest, whose special duty it shall be 
to watch over the interests of American agricul- 
tural products in foreign markets. With the 
proper cooperation on the part of our Consuls 
and others such an officer could be of incalcula- 
ble service in the manner indicated as well as in 
supplying valuable information as to the demand 



GEN. RUSK'S IDEAS ON PROTECTION. 349 

existing in foreign countries for such products as 
our farmers are able to supply, as to the best 
manner of preparing the same to meet the wants 
of foreign consumers, etc. 



TAXATION. 

It seems to me that our system of taxation de- 
mands improvement in certain directions. The 
cost of supporting the government needs to be 
most equitably adjusted among the different 
classes of our people. At present in many States, 
the burden of local taxation presses heavily upon 
farm property, its very nature rendering it easily 
assessable. Every corporation created by the 
State, and to whom special privileges are granted 
either by State, county, or incorporated village 
or city, should be taxed in proportion to its earn- 
ings, and in all ways the principle of taxation 
should be to place the burden of maintaining the 
government, whether State, municipal or na- 
tional, upon the luxuries and comforts which the 
wealthy enjoy, and to reduce it to a minimum in 
its application to the hardly earned property of 
the poor man. * 

No doubt many more causes could be assigned 
for the present agricultural depression, still less 
is there any doubt, but that other and more effi- 
cient remedies than those suggested might be 
found, I may say will be found, to relieve it. I 



350 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

liave merely tried to indicate what seemed to me 
the more important causes and to point out such 
remedies as a long and solicitous consideration of 
the situation, and I may add, long familiarity and 
sympathy with the hard working, frugal class 
which is the immediate and chief sufferer, have 
suggested to my mind as both necessary and feas- 
ible. 

I candidly confess, that my personal sympa- 
thies are with the farmers, and they must bear 
with me if I offer them an earnest word of cau- 
tion. No possible relief can come to them or to 
the country, no permanent remedy for present 
ills is to be found in measures which are rather 
the outcome of resentment than the product of 
reason. I would say to the farmers, stand firm 
as the ever-lasting hills in demanding what is 
right, and resisting any possible infringement on 
your rights as citizens by any other class or com- 
bination of people, but beware, lest in your just 
eagerness to secure your own rights, you seek to 
infringe upon the rights of others. No measure 
that conflicts with the rights of any one class of 
citizens, but what is sure to follow the course of 
the boomerang and return to injure the hand 
that shaped it. On the other hand, let it be borne 
in mind by all other classes of our citizens, that 
the present conditions demand consideration now 
and that consideration must be full and fair; for 
the time being it is paramount to all other ques- 



GEN B US IP S IDEA S ON PRO TEC TION. 351 

tions and if necessary, every other interest must 
be prepared to stand aside in favor of measures 
looking to the relief of agricultural depression. 

J. M. Rusk. 

During his administration Secretary Rusk con- 
tributed to the North American Review two ar- 
ticles — one, which appeared April, 1S91, upon 
"The Duty of the Hour," and the other, in March, 
1S93, on "American Farming a Hundred Years 
Hence." The first was an earnest plea for a bet- 
ter understanding of the farmer and his needs by 
the statesmen and men of affairs of the day, and 
a prediction, as it might be called in view of later 
events, that like other patients, failing relief at 
the hand of the regular practitioners, the farmers, 
conscious of an unequal participation in the gen- 
eral increase of wealth and advance of civiliza- 
tion and luxury, and finding in the leaders of the 
hour little sympathy, less understanding and no 
relief, would in despair follow the demagogue. 
He was particularly earnest in denouncing the 
common tendency of those who are not farmers 
themselves, to pooh-pooh the farmers' discontent 
as groundless and to answer all his complaints 
with the assertion that he is better off and has an 
easier time than his father before him. He 
points out that this will be admitted even by 
most farmers, but that what the modern farmer 
complains of is that he has not shared equally 



352 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

with other classes of citizens in the great increase 
in wealth which has characterized the last half 
century. These few extracts afford, in conjunc- 
tion with the views of the Secretary as to the 
farmer's relations to the tariff above quoted, a 
fair illustration of his broad sympathy with the 
farmer's troubles and his clear appreciation of 
the farmer's needs. At the same time the second 
of the tw^o articles referred to, "American Agri- 
culture a Hundred Years Hence," shows very 
clearly that he fully understood what share the 
farmer's ow r n deficiencies had in his condition and 
what radical changes must inevitably be brought 
about in many respects in the personality of the 
farmer before the full realization of the possibili- 
ties and pleasures of rural life among us. 



FARMING A HUNDRED YEARS HENCE. 353 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

AMERICAN FARMING A HUNDRED YEARS HENCE. 

The following article by Secretary Rusk, origi- 
nally published in the North American Review, 
of March, 1893, is here reprinted by the kind per- 
mission of Gen. Lloyd Bryce, editor of that excel- 
lent magazine: 

What farming will be a century hence may at 
first sight seem to be a matter of pure specula- 
tion; nevertheless, it deserves the most thought- 
ful consideration of those who take a patriotic in- 
terest in the future of the country with which 
the future of our agriculture is indissolubly 
bound. 

To those who have the shaping of the country's 
destinies in their hands the future must be ever 
present. It is only the shallow, superficial or 
selfish man, never the statesman, who considers 
a subject affecting deeply the interests of his 
country solely from the standpoint of present ex- 
pediency. 

My recollections of farm life, with which I have 

always been closely, and at times exclusivelv, 
23 



354 J ERE MI A H M. B USK. 

identified, go back over forty years, and retro- 
spectively I can thus gather material upon which 
to predicate some of the changed conditions 
which will attend the growth of our country dur- 
ing the next century. 

My boyhood was passed on a farm in what was 
then one of the Western States (Ohio) in the days 
of the flail and the old-fashioned plow; of the 
spinning wheel and hand loom, and homemade 
clothing; when settlers migrated westward in 
"prairie schooners," and business and professional 
men traveling on business or for pleasure rode in 
the old-fashioned mail coach or on the canal 
boats; when the farmer's main object was to pro- 
duce on his land what he needed for his own and 
his family's consumption, the home markets be- 
ing scattered and foreign markets hardly accessi- 
ble, when millionaires were unknown, and land 
was plentiful — so plentiful that the possibility of 
the exhaustion of the public domain in the life- 
time of persons then living could not have been 
suggested without ridicule. 

What changes have taken place since those 
days are patent to all who use their sight and 
hearing, and they may be readily divided into 
four classes: 

(1) Extent and character of our population. 

(2) Methods of farming. 

(3) Our trade relations, both interstate and 
international. 



FARMING A HUNDRED YEARS HENCE. 355 

(4) The conditions of rural life. 

Our population has increased in the past fifty 
years from seventeen millions to over sixty-two 
millions, while the population of our cities has 
increased beyond all proportion to the general 
increase throughout the country. The age of 
steam and electricity, of speculation and monop- 
olies, with opportunities for accumulation of 
wealth never before dreamed of, has drawn from 
the healthful, peaceful aud reasonably prosper- 
ous occupation of agriculture many of the brain- 
iest of our young Americans, and many who, 
without being exceptionally gifted, have yet been 
readily persuaded to abandon the certainty of 
moderate well-being in the country for the de- 
lusive chances of fortune in the cities. Their 
places have been largely taken by foreigners in 
many States, and the result has been that in its 
character, although not in ratio of increase, the 
farming population has changed as much as that 
of our cities. It is my opinion, however, that in 
diversity of character the change in our agri- 
cultural population will be less marked in the 
future than in the past, and this for reasons 
which are set forth sufficiently in the following 
pages. 

Should our population increase as rapidly dur- 
ing the coming hundred years as in the past fifty, 
it will be at the end of that period not less than 
four hundred millions. I think it will not so in- 



353 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

crease; for one thing, we will not have the same 
inducements to offer to immigrants. When the 
price of land goes up, as it is bound to do, and its 
acquisition requires more money; when more cap- 
ital is required to undertake farming, except on 
the smallest scale, and truck farms near cities 
bring a high rent and call for the greatest intelli- 
gence as well as industry on the part of the 
farmer, one of the chief inducements to foreign- 
ers to seek our shores, namely the acquisition of 
farms of their own, will disappear. At the same 
time the liberal tendencies of all civilized coun- 
tries, even under monarchical governments, will 
lessen the number of those who leave the older 
countries for the sake of greater political free- 
dom. Immigration to the United States will con- 
sist more and more of a few comparatively well- 
to-do persons, seeking opportunities for the profit- 
able investment of a small capital, and who, pos- 
sessing some education and training in the art of 
self-government, will readily amalgamate with 
our own people; or of the poorest classes well con- 
tent to serve for a time in the ranks of labor, pro- 
vided the rate of wages is high enough to reward 
their frugality with moderate savings. 

While recognizing thus the changes which are 
likely to occur in the character of the immigra- 
tion to this country, I emphatically do not wish 
to be understood as opposing immigration. On 
the field of battle as on the field of labor, I have 



FARMING A HUNDRED YEARS HENCE. 357 

found immigrants from foreign shores doing their 
duty heroically and creditably, side by side with 
their fellow citizens of American birth. I am nut 
insensible to the important part played by foreign 
immigrants in the wonderful development of our 
country during the past generation. It is not de- 
sirable to forbid immigration, though it is our 
duty to control it. I am ready now as ever to ex- 
tend a welcome to every honest, hard-working- 
man seeking our shores to better his condition, 
and to carve out a home for himself and his de- 
scendants in this land of promise. It is no of- 
fence that he is poor. Let us take precautions to 
exclude the criminal and pauper classes, the po- 
litical maniacs who have declared themselves 
enemies of all society and government, and then 
with a proper enforcement of our laws, so that 
every voter may recognize the full responsibilities 
of citizenship, we shall have done all that in my 
opinion is needed for the protection of our peo- 
ple and our institutions. 

The most remarkable changes in the character 
of our agricultural population will be found in 
the occupation and the possession by private own- 
ers of every foot of land available for tillage. 
From semi-tropical Florida to the State of Wash- 
ington, from the lakes and forests of Maine to the 
orange groves and vineyards of southern Cali- 
fornia, every acre of land, save what is absolutely 
untillable or necessarily devoted to the forest and 



358 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

the mine, will be taxed to supply the needs of 
three, if not four, hundred millions of people, who 
will doubtless be then, as now, the wealthiest and 
least self-denying of any people in the world. 
More bushels of wheat will be needed to supply 
our own people with bread than our present aver- 
age yield of corn, which means three and a half 
times more than last year's crop, the largest but 
one of any wheat crop ever harvested in the 
United States. Irrigation will be practiced as a 
matter of course, wherever water is obtainable, 
and millions of acres now unproductive will yield 
rich harvests. American farmers will supply 
American consumers with half a billion dollars' 
worth of sugar, whether cane, sorghum, or beet; 
the demands of our home markets for meat and 
dairy products will be met by a system of care 
and feeding which will convert the now com- 
monly accepted ratio of four acres to one cow 
into something more like four cows to one acre. 
Science, aided by necessity, will have solved the 
problems of feeding, so as to secure the maximum 
result for the minimum feed; waste products will 
be utilized in a hundred ways not now dreamed 
of, and we can readily realize that, besides the 
increased yield due to a better understanding of 
plant life and culture, and to the remedies for 
the prevention of the injuries, whether by disease 
or insects, whereby agriculture today loses hun- 
dreds of millions of dollars yearlj 7 , the applica- 



FARMING A HUNDRED YEARS HENCE. 359 

tion of every acre of our vast territory to the par- 
ticular uses for which it is best adapted will add 
immensely to our aggregate productiveness. 

What the worth of land will be in those days 
no man can venture to estimate; but of one thing 
we can all rest assured, and that is, that the rich- 
est inheritance a man can leave to his grandchil- 
dren and their immediate descendants will be a 
farm of many broad fertile acres in the United 
States of America. 

It may not be uninteresting to point out a dif- 
ferentiation into classes among farmers, which I 
can readily see will gradually take place in this 
country, and which will have attained its full de- 
velopment before the period of which I write. 
Every large city already affects the method of 
farming in the country contiguous to it, and as 
this suburban land becomes more and more valu- 
able every acre of it will be taxed to its utmost 
capacity to supply the needs and the luxuries of 
the city people. For these, glass houses will ob- 
literate the seasons, and strawberries and lettuce 
in midwinter will no longer occasion surprise. 
Such methods of tillage demand the best kind of 
labor and the constant, personal supervision of 
the owner or farmer himself, and this of neces- 
sity means farms of a few acres. On the other 
hand, the large farms will no longer be conducted 
by men who, with their own hands, feed the stock 
and milk the cows, and follow the plow or culti- 



360 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

vate the corn. The exigencies of farm life in 
those days will tax all the brain power and busi- 
ness qualifications of a man whose life work will 
demand a better education, in the scientific 
branches at least, than that of the merchant or 
the banker, or even the lawyer. The man who 
farms a large farm successfully in 1993 must be 
such a man as would be successful in any career, 
whether professional or mercantile, and who, like 
the merchant or manufacturer, must command 
some capital, and be capable of utilizing profit- 
ably the labor of his fellows. 

The natural evolution of agriculture, under its 
changed and changing conditions, involves a sur- 
vival of the fittest, which will necessarily rele- 
gate poor farmers — I use the word "poor" in the 
intellectual sense — not, let us hope, and I truly 
believe, to the level of the English agricultural 
laborer, but to the condition of a thrifty peas- 
antry, owning their own homes, with perhaps a 
few acres of land, but depending principally for 
support upon wages earned by laboring for 
others. 

In my opinion, the changes in methods of farm- 
ing in the future will be brought about by a wide 
knowledge and application of scientific princi- 
ples. I do not think it probable that farm im- 
plements will be improved very much, although 
doubtless on the larger farms means will be de- 



FARMING A HUNDRED YEARS HENCE. 361 

vised to perforin certain operations by electricity 
or steam. Nor do I lay any stress upon the pos- 
sible revolution in methods of farming antici- 
pated by those who think that the rainfall may 
be controlled at will by explosives, a theory which 
will, long before the time of which I write, have 
been itself thoroughly exploded and given a place 
among the curiosities of so-called scientific inves- 
tigation, in company with its twin absurdity, the 
flying machine. There will be some change in 
our methods, owing to a differentiation of farm- 
ing purposes brought about by the demand for 
new products, and by the necessity, in order to 
make farming profitable, of providing for the 
home demand all that our soil and climate can 
produce, and by the devoting of certain sections, 
and even of certain farms, to those products for 
which they may be specially adapted. Such spe- 
cialization will be rendered more and more easy 
as the cost, if not the difficulty, of transportation 
is reduced. Our means of transportation have 
been so greatly increased during the past twenty- 
five years that it is very difficult to imagine their 
being carried much further; but means will 
doubtless be found by which the cost of carriage 
may be greatly reduced, with corresponding fa- 
cility and ease in transportation. 

Our trade relations, probably, will not exercise 
so o-reat an influence in the changes of the future 
as they have done in the past. Without in any 



S62 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

degree sharing the melancholy forebodings of 
those who anticipate that a comparatively slight 
increase in our present population will compel the 
United States to become a large importer of food 
products such as our own soil produces, I am of 
the opinion that long before a hundred years have 
rolled by we will have ceased to export food prod- 
ucts to foreign countries, Avith the exception of a 
few products in concentrated form. Our trade in 
farm products will hence be interstate, not inter- 
national, and will be regulated by the growth of 
our population and the consequent extension of 
our home markets. 

It is the conditions of rural life to which I look 
for the greatest change, amounting to a veritable 
transformation in the future of agriculture in this 
country. At first glance it may appear that I 
have underestimated the transformation which 
has taken place in those conditions during the 
period covered by my personal experience. It is 
unquestionably true that modern manufacturing 
methods have entirely destroyed such home in- 
dustries as shoemaking, coopering, tailoring, spin- 
ning, weaving, etc., by which so many farmers in 
the first half of the century occupied their time 
and added to their modest incomes during the 
winter months. The farmer's grain is no longer, 
carried to the mill in a sack thrown over a horse's 
back and kept in place as a saddle for the bare- 
footed boy who, taking the grain to mill, brought 



FARMING A HUNDRED YEARS HENCE. 363 

back flour Tor domestic consumption. The old- 
fashioned bees, the husking and the corn-shelling, 
with their accompanying sociability and the cus- 
tomary dance, have become almost obsolete in 
many parts of the country, and with the excep- 
tion of the South, where, in spite of the changes 
effected by the war and the abolition of slavery, 
matters seem to go on in the country districts 
very much as of yore, there are many features in 
which farming life differs from that of forty years 
ao-o The difference is not always, perhaps, m 
the line of improvement. But in the main, and 
in its most important features, I believe the con- 
ditions of rural life to have changed less in the 
past half century than the other features of farm- 
ing to which I have referred; for, while farming 
implements have been practically revolutionized, 
while our methods of farming, as, for instance, 
in dairying, have undergone marked changes, 
while our population has increased, and the trade 
in our agricultural products has developed be- 
yond the" most imaginative conceptions of the 
farmer of fifty years ago, many of the conditions 
of rural life, including, I am sorry to say, many 
of those which are its principal drawbacks still 
remain. There is today almost the same isola- 
tion, for example, as compared with the life of 
town or city, the same unceasing round of labor, 
beginning with the dawn and scarce ending with 



364 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

the dark; our country roads are little, indeed, I 
may say, no better, and school and church facili- 
ties in the country districts are not much greater 
than they were. Now it is in these very condi- 
tions that I look for, perhaps, the most marked 
change to occur in the agricultural life of the 
future. 

In the first place, the average size of our farms 
w ill be considerably less than now. There will 
be large farms, no doubt; but under such a mod- 
ernized system of agriculture as will unquestion- 
ably prevail a hundred years hence, what will be 
a large farm then would not be regarded as a 
particularly large farm at the present day. More- 
over, for reasons which I have already indicated, 
there will be a very much greater number of 
small farms than now, not only in the neighbor- 
hood of cities, but in all those sections where ir- 
rigation is practised. The result of this will be 
a greater concentration of population even in 
rural districts, aud hence far less isolation than 
exists at present, and this isolation will be still 
further diminished by good, smooth, well-kept 
roads, bordered with handsome shade trees, and 
available for travel at all seasons. With such a 
dense population as we shall then have, electric 
motors will be established, without a doubt, along 
many of the principal roads, extending out sev- 
eral miles into the country from every town or 



FARMING A HUNDRED YEARS HENCE. 



365 



city of any consequence. The telephone will be 
found in every farmhouse, and should the pres- 
ent Postmaster-General be privileged to revisit 
the scene of his earthly labors, he will find his 
dream a reality, with a rural mail delivery which 
will carry mails daily to every farmhouse in the 
land. The residents in the country will vie in 
culture aud education with the corresponding 
classes in the cities, while, with the disappear- 
ance of the many inconveniences which now prej- 
udice the wealthy against country life, the busi- 
ness and professional men will look forward to 
the acquisition of wealth as a means for securing 
a home in the country, where they can end their 
days in peace and comfort. No one questions the 
healthfulness of country life, and its many advan- 
tages so far as physical well-being is concerned 
over the city, and when the country home is equal 
in comfort and culture to that of the city, no ar- 
gument will be needed to prove its superiority to 

the latter. 

It would take more eloquence than I have at 
my command to present to the reader a picture of 
agricultural life a hundred years from now as it 
exists in my mind, but I trust I have said enough 
to interest "even those who are not directly con- 
cerned with agriculture in its future development, 
and to impress upon them the importance of giv- 
ing to the agricultural interests due weight in all 



366 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

plans or legislation looking to the future pros- 
perity of our great country. 

It seems not inappropriate that I should take 
this occasion to emphasize the fact that the De- 
partment which represents agriculture in the na- 
tional government is practically in its infancy. 
That it does render good service to agricul- 
ture there is no question, although the total ap- 
propriation for its support, some three million 
dollars, is considerably less than one per cent, of 
the aggregate appropriations made for the sup- 
port of the national government. As the import- 
ance of agriculture becomes more and more ap- 
preciated by the whole people, and the large part 
it is destined to play in the development of our 
country is more widely recognized, it is reason- 
able to believe, and I personally have every ex- 
pectation, that the National Department of Agri- 
culture will become more and more liberally en- 
dowed, so that at the time of which I write the 
appropriations made for it, by comparison with 
those devoted to the other purposes of govern- 
ment, will be proportionate to its true position in 
relation to the other industries of the country. 



AN AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS. 357 



CHAPTER XL. 

AN AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS. 

In 1889 General Eusk delivered, upon invita- 
tion, the following address on Agriculture, at Co- 
lumbus, Ohio: 
Farmers and Fellow Citizens: 

Sometime ago I received an invitation of the 
State Board of Agriculture of this State, to at- 
tend this imposing and interesting exhibition of 
agricultural products today, and to meet here in 
joint assembly the members of the two leading 
agricultural organizations, and the farmers of the 
State generally. I desire to thank the State 
Board of Agriculture and those who united with 
them in tendering me this invitation. I desire to 
express my pleasure at meeting you, my appre- 
ciation of the generous welcome accorded to me, 
and of the handsome compliment paid me in giv- 
ing my name to one day of the exhibition. I am 
especially glad to have this opportunity to speak 
to you upon some topics in which we are all in- 
terested. 

My eyes first saw the light of day in this grand 



368 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

old State of Ohio, and as I rejoice today in being 
again upon her soil, I am reminded that my last 
appearance at an agricultural fair in this State, 
was in 1S53, in this very city, being then on my 
way to Wisconsin to assume the duties of citizen- 
ship in that, my adopted State. 

The third of a century that has elapsed since 
that day has brought with it the ebb and flow of 
prosperity and adversity; since that time many 
a man who now listens to me has gone out from 
his farm — and like Cincinnatus, left his plow, to 
engage in the mighty struggle so valiantly fought 
and gloriously won to save the union of States 
and to preserve secure the liberties of men. 

Like decorated china, baked by fire in order to 
harden it and preserve its rich colors, the farmer 
soldiery of this State passed through the fiery fur- 
nace of heated and blazing war, which forever 
cemented their patriotism and loyalty, and they 
stand today among the leaders, tried and true, in 
their avocation of peace. Many an empty sleeve, 
or missing leg, or painful wound, or honorable 
scar, silently attests the loyalty of your citizens 
in that crisis of the Nation's life. 

During all that, time, we, who were the early 
citizens of Ohio, have witnessed the efforts of its 
farming people to secure a livelihood, have noted 
their indomitable energy, their thrift and perse- 
verance, triumphing over the hardships and try- 
ins: surroundings of the farmer, and have seen 



AN A GEIC ULTUEAL ADDEESS. 369 

grow up the firm, strong column of a sturdy citi- 
zenship, and listened to the tread of the builders 
of this mighty commonwealth, today so remark- 
able for its enterprise, its industry, and its suc- 
cess. 

Ohio is today a potent factor, not only in the 
agricultural but in the commercial transactions 
of the United States. It is the link between the 
Western and Eastern States; though adjoining 
an Atlantic State, its rivers drain into the great 
Mississippi itself; it possesses two of the most 
considerable cities on our northern boundary line, 
important ports upon the great inland sea which 
separates the State from Canada; while its prin- 
cipal commercial city stands at the very gate of 
the great South, — that great New South which is 
destined within the next few years to startle the 
world by its extraordinary material development. 
During all these years I have watched with the 
keenest interest and pride the progress of events 
in my native State. Her development and ad- 
vancement along the lines of civilization, agricul- 
tural, industrial, mechanical, and social, have 
never failed to excite the pride of her citizens, the 
wonder of her sister States, and she stands today 
radiant and beaming, a bright jewel in the di- 
adem of the Union. I am happy to see arrayed 
here in friendly competition, the products of your 
toil and handiwork, and to discuss with you some 

problems which affect the farmer's welfare — for 
24 



370 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

upon that all prosperity rests, and without it the 
entire structure falls. 

I ca_not expect to review with you the entire 
field of agriculture in the brief time that I shall 
occupy. It is as boundless, almost, as the space 
in which we move, and there are as many phases 
of it as there are stars in the firmament above 
us. But perhaps there are some questions which 
bear directly upon your calling and which, being- 
uppermost in the minds of agriculturists at the 
present time, may be discussed by us today with 
profit to all concerned. First let me direct your 
attention to some significant facts and figures 
which relate to the general cause. 

The development of agriculture in the United 
States has been the wonder of the civilized world. 
The face of our country has only waited for the 
plow and harrow to reward us with nature's gen- 
erous return, the blessing of a country to which 
hunger or famine is unknown. On every side the 
landscape has been painted in the verdure of 
growing crops, while the world waited, open 
mouthed, to be fed by the toil of our farmers. 
Think of it — more than five million farms in this 
country! This indicates such an enormous busi- 
ness that we cannot pay too much attention to it. 
Governments, State and National, cannot foster 
it with too much care, statesmen cannot discuss 
it too much, and farmers, you cannot think too 
much about it. 



AN AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS. 371 

Especially is this true, if you realize the respon- 
sibility which devolves upon you and upon those 
to whom you will leave your precious inheritance. 
Glance at the figures which show our population. 
In 1870 we had a population of about 39 millions; 
in 1880 it had increased to 50 millions, and now, 
in 1890, we have nearly G5 millions. The increase 
in twenty years will make us at least 100 mil- 
lions, and in fifty years from now 190 millions of 
people will wake up some morning wanting a 
breakfast. 

I don't mean by this to say that we shall have 
trouble in feeding this multitude. The resources 
of this country are sufficient to meet the demands 
of three times that many souls. But the increas- 
ing demand upon our farm products between now 
and 1940 must be met by methods unknown in the 
agriculture of our forefathers. The future farmer 
will be more enlightened than we are today in an 
even greater degree than we are more enlightened 
than those who preceded us — because of the 
greater advantages he will enjoy. 

The effects, aye! the necessity of the school- 
house— the common school— the prime conser- 
vator of our language, our patriotism, and our in- 
telligence—the business college, the agricultural 
college, the Experiment Station, all will be felt, — 
indeed they are now being felt, in a greater de- 
gree than ever. I know they are being felt, be- 
cause I recognize in the present unrest of the 



372 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

farmers, in the present feeling of depression and 
dissatisfaction, in the present stand for more free- 
dom of action in this demand for a larger partici- 
pation in the general prosperity of mankind, — I 
say I recognize in all these, simply the signs of 
the evolution through which the farmer is now 
passing. He is no longer content to make a com- 
parison between his present condition and that 
of his father, or his grandfather, in order to prove 
that he is better off than they were. He is thank- 
ful for the many advantages of human progress 
and social intercourse which he enjoys, and which 
they had not; but his ambition now is, to enjoy 
his share equally with the lawyer, the doctor, the 
merchant and the resident of the cit3 T , in the 
greater civilization, in the greater prosperity of 
this country, to all of which he contributes so 
much. 

It is a mistake for farmers to assume that the 
success of their calling depends entirely upon 
this or that act of a political body. That man is 
helped who helps himself, and there are many 
things which will ameliorate the present condi- 
tion of the farmer which are within his own grasp, 
and waiting to be utilized. The demand for his 
products will have to be satisfied, for the most 
part, from lands already occupied, as our unoc- 
cupied arable lands have dwindled to compara- 
tively small proportions. 

It must follow that farms will increase in value, 



AN AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS. 373 

that the number of acres which any one farmer 
can own and cultivate will decrease, and that 
only the most intelligent and most wisely di- 
rected culture will insure profitable returns. 
Hence it is that those who follow agriculture 
must follow it in the near future as a profession 
rather* than as a mere occupation. Agricultural 
education must point the way toward the highest 
knowledge and most improved methods in tak- 
ing advantage of different conditions of soil, cli- 
mate, and nature's forces. The success of no 
other profession on earth depends so entirely 
upon seasons and varying climatic conditions as 
that of agriculture. 

Then let me urge upon you the importance of 
such an education. Congress has been awakened 
to this necessity, and has recently provided for 
the maintenance of experiment stations in the 
different States — and Ohio has a grand one, let 
me tell you — indeed the present session of Con- 
gress has passed a bill which materially in- 
creases the scope and usefulness of our State 
Agricultural Colleges, and that bill is now a law. 
These advantages are within your reach and it 
is for you to avail yourselves of them. 

In other words, you should exhaust every 
means known to science or business which will 
aid you in getting a profitable return upon your 
enormous investments — investments which repre- 
sent a sum of money beyond the comprehension 



374 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

of the human mind. You have in this State 250 
thousand farms. Their value amounts in round 
numbers to the enormous sum of one billion and 
a quarter of dollars; as much more is invested in 
implements, machinery, and farm animals to ope- 
rate those farms, making a total investment of 
nearly 2 billion 500 millions of dollars. 

Now farmer friends, do you realize that that 
sum — the sum of your investments in this single 
State — exceeds by more than three times our 
present national debt? And can we not, through 
the application of better culture, better methods, 
better farming, better business principles, better 
understanding of the laws of supply and demand, 
more intelligent observation, improved processes, 
a larger conception of our duties, and last, but not 
least, by a "long pull, a strong pull, and a pull 
altogether," — can we not by all these, I say, in- 
crease the percentage of our return upon this 
enormous investment? Even one per cent, in- 
crease would mean 25 millions increase in your 
returns. I think we can. 

Ohio has a prominent place among the States 
noted for their wealth of natural resources and 
agricultural production. It occupies a small part 
of the national domain, only one and four-tenths 
per cent, of the whole, yet its farm lands are over 
four per cent, of the farm area of the country. 
Ohio has the distinction of having the largest pro- 
portion of its surface occupied by farms of any 



AN AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS. 375 

State in the Union, all but 6 per cent., while the 
older and more populous State of New York has 
22 per cent, not included in farms, Pennsylvania 
31 per cent., and the densely populated State of 
Massachusetts has 35 per cent. 

The farms of Ohio are small, averaging less 
than one hundred acres, naturally productive and 
well cultivated, and their value is more than one- 
tenth of the value of the farms of the United 
States. The tenth census returned the average 
value of Ohio farm lands at $45.1)7 per acre, 
higher even than the average for New York and 
Massachusetts, and only exceeded by four States. 
Only 40 per cent, of the people of Ohio are em- 
ployed in agricultural pursuits, a smaller propor- 
tion than in any other of the Western or South- 
ern States, which range from 42 in Michigan to 
S3 in Arkansas. This accounts for the compara- 
tive prosperity of Ohio farmers, as 30 per cent, 
of the population is a proportion more than ample 
to supply the wants of all the people under the 
beneficent rule of an advanced and scientific agri- 
culture. 

The farmers of Ohio are enterprising, progres- 
sive and prosperous, with fewer exceptions than 
in almost any other portion of the country. The 
wheat product of last year was about seven per 
cent, of the national crop, and that of corn was 
about twenty-two bushels per capita. Other crops 
in variety and large volume increase the resources 



376 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

of the people for consumption, and swell the value 
of the products of the farm. 

The farmers of Ohio have a home market, and 
prices higher than the average farm prices of the 
country for nearly all the products of their farms. 
It is true, these prices of late have been low, yet 
marked improvement has already taken place and 
everything points to a marked advance in prices 
in the near future. 

In the agriculture of Ohio wool has ever held 
a prominent place; and now only Texas and Cali- 
fornia hold higher rank in numbers of sheep. Not 
merely in the number of flocks, but in quantity 
and quality of wool, does your State excel most 
others. The medium Merino grades, character- 
ized by a long staple and dense fleece, have almost 
entirely superseded the combing wool of the Eng- 
lish breeds, commanding prices relatively high. 
Yet prices have been reduced by the injurious 
competition of foreign wools, imported in extraor- 
dinary volume under the classification of car- 
pet wool, and used for all purposes, largely for 
fabrics similar to those into which these comb- 
ing wools enter, thus reducing the price of Ohio 
wools. 

In six years this competition reduced the flocks 
of the United States by six millions. The law of 
1881 and its hostile construction wrought great 
injury to sheep husbandry; while a more just con- 
struction, and the prospect of a more protective 



AN A GRIC ULTURAL ADDRESS. 377 

law, have already advanced prices and assured 
a brighter future for wool growing. 

In the older States, where agriculture is im- 
proving and lands are valuable, it seems to me 
to be the dictate of wisdom, to give more prom- 
inence to mutton production in sheep husbandry. 
The example of England and of the best districts 
of France and Germany is worthy of our prac- 
tical consideration in this respect. Meat and 
wool promise greater profit than wool alone, and 
furnish a double incentive to effort for the high- 
est attainable excellence of product. AYith a con- 
tinuance of the intelligence and zeal which have 
characterized the breeders of Ohio, and by a wise 
adaptation to existing circumstances, I firmly be- 
lieve that a future prosperity awaits their con- 
tinued efforts. 

The State of Ohio has made a phenomenal ad- 
vance in manufactures during the past genera- 
tion, the value of which increased from 122 mil- 
lions in 1SG0 to 31S millions in 1880, when this 
Western State surpassed the average production 
of the country per capita. The workers in manu- 
factures and mining were then about one-fourth 
of all in the State, numbering 212 thousand while 
farmers and farm laborers numbered 397 thou- 
sand. 

The State is destined to become populous and 
opulent, with a profitable distribution of labor in 



378 JEREMIAH M. II USE. 

the various arts and industries. Its productive 
lands, healthful climate, central position, and 
large development of manual and mental culture, 
will insure a high civilization and a large degree 
of prosperity among all classes of people. 

The farmers of this country supply material 
for the food of G4 millions of people, who consume 
and waste more than any 100 millions of any 
other part of the globe. They last year pro- 
duced 53 bushels of grain for every man, woman, 
and child in the land, while little more than 3 
bushels per head of wheat and corn were mar- 
keted in foreign countries. They produced nearly 
200 pounds of meat for every individual, while 
only 25 pounds were sold to foreigners. They 
made not less than 1C pounds of butter for each 
inhabitant, of which but 7 ounces went abroad. 

What do these figures teach? First, they teach 
the relative importance of our home and foreign 
markets, and justify all our efforts in the past to 
expand and multiply our home markets. Sec- 
ond, they teach us that farmers must first of all, 
cultivate the home markets and seek to so diver- 
sify farm products as to supply them with the 
main portion of all they demand, instead of, as 
now, allowing foreigners to supply them with 
nearly as much as our own farmers supply to for- 
eign markets. Third, they show us that we have 
a surplus, which, little as it may be, must yet be 



AN AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS. 379 

disposed of in foreign markets; but they do not 
show one fact, which we must not overlook, 
namely, that in some cases the price of a surplus, 
small as it is, is fixed in the foreign market as the 
result of competition, and that the price so fixed 
plays an important part in regulating prices in 
our home markets. 

Now, what can we do to maintain a steady 
demand for farm products? With the population 
increasing yearly at the rate of a million and a 
half our home markets must afford a rapidly in- 
creasing demand. But what if the increase in 
the farming population maintains the same ratio 
to the general increase as heretofore? Well, in 
view of such a possibility, I have three courses to 
advise: 

First, for the 250 million dollars worth of agri- 
cultural products annually imported from foreign 
markets, and for which American consumers pay 
at least 325 millions, we must, by wise laws and 
intelligent farming, substitute home-grown prod- 
ucts. 

Second, we must limit our generosity in the 
matter of homestead laws to actual citizens of 
the United States. I would have no man Owning 
and cultivating a farm in this land who is not 
an American citizen. I say that those who come 
to the United States to reap the reward and ben- 
efits that come from the soil, should be citizens of 
this country, be enrolled under our flag and Con- 



380 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

stitution, and be interested in their protection 
and the promotion of only those interests which 
are truly American and patriotic. There is room 
for but one flag and one people in this country — 
none for those whose allegiance is elsewhere; we 
have room for those who seek our country for its 
heaven-born liberties — none for those who come 
here to breed discord and discontent and preach 
their infernal doctrines of disorder and of anar- 
chy, which are as un-American as monarchy and 
as treasonable as secession. 

Third, we must increase and extend our for- 
eign markets by every legitimate means in our 
power, by surrounding the manufacture of our 
various food-products with such stringent regu- 
lations that the word "American," or the brand 
"U. S.," on any food-product, will be recognized 
the world over as synonymous with the words 
"pure" and "wholesome;" by attentively watch- 
ing the markets in all foreign countries, and be- 
ing alert to seize every opportunity to supply a 
want with American-grown products; by intro- 
ducing American products in sections where 
they are unknown, as, for instance, our Indian 
corn, which is practically unknown abroad as hu- 
man food; and, lastly, by special treaties on the 
basis of what you have all heard of in recent days 
as reciprocity — a sort of "give and take" com- 
mercial policy. 

The trouble has been heretofore that we have 



AN A GHIC UL TUBA L ADDRESS. 381 

been giving all the time and never taking. We 
gave up the duty on coffee, of which we import 
75 million dollars worth yearly, and that act 
transferred 17 million dollars from our Treasury 
to that of Brazil, for as soon as we took off our 
duty Brazil raised her export duty a correspond- 
ing amount. We gave up the duties on hides, of 
which we annually import 25 million dollars 
worth, without securing the slightest reciprocal 
advantage in favor of American flour, American 
meat and American dairy-products. 

I presume there are some manufacturers in this 
country who would be willing to sacrifice your 
wool interests for a kind of reciprocity that 
would benefit them as much as it might hurt you. 
I am opposed to that sort of reciprocity. So far 
as reciprocity means "never give something for 
nothing," I favor it. Whenever it is evident that 
a treaty of reciprocity means the benefit of the 
larger part of the American people, I agree to it, 
and whenever it is evident that reciprocity with 
this or that country, or in this or that product, 
would injure any industry or the larger part of 
our people, I am against it. I am for America 
first, last and all the time. I am attached to no 
mere form of words, to no policy because of its 
name. What I am after is results — results bene- 
ficial to a majority of my countrymen. 

Now I rejoice that I have lived to see a strong 
combination of farmers associated together 



382 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

throughout the land for the purpose of discussing 
these and other questions which especially relate 
to their interests. The brisk competition and en- 
terprise of past years resulted long ago in com- 
binations, and associations, and organizations of 
men in every avocation except that of agri- 
culture. The time has now come when agricul- 
ture, also, is to be aided by organized effort 
through a union of farmers to discuss public 
questions, to make themselves heard and felt in 
public affairs; — a band of brothers who will op- 
pose a firm front to all wrong and injustice. 
There is no man living today who believes more 
firmly than I in the value and potency of such 
organization. Self-defence is the first law of 
nature — organization is a necessity of the times. 

The farmer, isolated as he is, standing alone as 
he did for many years, is like a single reed, easily 
broken; an association of farmers, like the bundle 
of rods in the fable, cannot be broken. All hail 
to every known form of agricultural organization. 
I hope the work will go on, and that its growth 
will never stop until every farmer has been en- 
rolled on the lists of this agricultural host. But 
now, my friends, I want to offer you some words 
of caution. Let me say that there is danger as 
well as hopefulness in such a movement. 

You must keep in mind that permanent ad- 
vantage is only compatible with justice. If in 
the enthusiasm of the hour you work a wrong to 



AN A GRIC ULTURAL ADDRESS. 383 

other classes of workers, that act will in the end 
prove a dangerous blow to your own prospects. 
Overreaching by other guilds may be combatted, 
but it surely is not wise to meet it with similar 
aggression. You must determine never to suffer 
another wrong, come from what source it may, 
but you must be equally steadfast in the de- 
termination and care to do no wrong to others. I 
believe, with you, in the politics of agriculture. 
But in this connection, there is a warning also 
that should be given. Remember that in our 
Government the majority must rule; that the in- 
dividual, sovereign though he may be, willingly 
submits to limitations of natural rights if it be 
for the general good, and gratefully accepts the 
most that can be obtained whenever he fails to 
secure all that he desires. Therefore, it is wise, 
under the circumstances, to bend every energy 
toward educating the public toward creating a 
public sentiment which shall find itself embodied 
in the platform of the strong parties now exist- 
ing, rather than toward antagonizing all existing 
parties, disorganizing and scattering, which is 
weakness and self destruction, and which is, 
moreover, opposed to those principles which 
were the very motive of association and the 
promise of success. You can rely upon it, my 
friends, that organization will prove a fruitless 
resource unless accompanied with wisdom and 
prudence. 



38-1 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

There is another point which is vital to success. 
You are to seek some amelioration of your pres- 
ent condition through legislation. Let me direct 
your attention to the importance of having all 
those measures which are to be endorsed by you, 
most carefully considered in their preparation, 
and practical and efficient in their results. Keep 
in mind the fact always that if wild and imprac- 
ticable measures are endorsed by you they may, 
and probably will, fail of enactment, thus casting 
discredit upon your judgment and impairing the 
further influence of their promoters. Study 
deeply, discuss thoroughly, consider dispassion- 
ately all measures intended for the statute-books 
of the country, present only those which really 
adjust present difficulties, which prohibit injus- 
tice and promote absolutely the effect desired, 
which are conducive to the general welfare — and 
you will not only compel the assent, but invoke 
the cooperation of all classes of the great body 
politic. Then will your success be assured, and 
your victory permanent and secure. 

Such are some of the problems of the day; such 
are some of the transitions affecting agriculture. 
I have endeavored to point out to you your own 
responsibilities; I have endeavored to show how 
far you must depend and insist upon legislative 
aid; and I am not unmindful that you have a 
right to look to the Department of Agriculture 
for material aid, and that aid I cordially pledge 



AN A GRIC ULTUBAL A DDEESS. 385 

to you. The work of that Department is con- 
stantly enlarging, and I shall assume that you 
are comparatively familiar with the scientific and 
practical results we are securing. 

There are some questions, however, in regard 
to which I have thought it necessary for the De- 
partment to assume an aggressive policy, and 
which I regard as so pregnant with important 
consequences that I beg your indulgence for a 
moment while I refer to them specially. 

More than one-half of the income of the aver- 
age wage-earners of the human race is spent for 
food. The Department's special sphere of work 
is to enlarge the facilities for providing food. 
Let it also be part of the special sphere of the 
Department to see that the food supplied be pure 
and wholesome. Every product must be sold for 
what it really is. The adulteration of food is in- 
jurious to public morals. It tends to lower the 
prices of the legitimate product, and hence in- 
jures the farmer. I am unalterably opposed to 
any deception in the naming of any article which 
uses the prestige of the farm to cover up the 
fraud of the manufacturer. 

Another important matter has been the sub- 
ject of much anxiety and solicitude on my part. 
The experience of the older countries of the world 
''n dealing with animal diseases admonishes us of 
their far-reaching effects and of the great diffl- 
25 



386 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

culty of controlling them when once they have 
obtained a foothold in a country. In many 
countries vast sums of money have been spent, 
the struggle has been going on for years, and yet 
the most strenuous efforts have so far proved in- 
effectual. Not so with us. 

So far as pleuro-pneumonia is concerned, its 
foothold in this country has never been firmly 
established. We have secured results which jus- 
tify me in the conviction that before the year 
1890 closes I shall be able to issue the official 
declaration of the Government of the United 
States, that pleuro-pneumonia no longer exists 
upon its soil. Even today I can state officially 
that this disease has been eradicated from the 
United States, with the possible exception of two 
counties on Long Island, New York. These two 
counties are rigidly quarantined, but a sufficient 
time has not elapsed since the last case occurred 
there to enable me to assert unqualifiedly at this 
moment that the disease has been utterly 
stamped out from that section, although there is 
every reason to believe that it has been. 

A most serious consequence of this disease is 
the pretext afforded to European governments by 
its occasional occurrence in this country, to im- 
pose the most vexatious restrictions upon the im- 
portation of our live cattle — requiring nothing 
less than the slaughter of every animal shipped 
from this country to England on the docks, 



AN A GRIC ULTURA L ADDRESS. 387 

within ten days after arrival. This depreciates 
the value of our cattle by at least ten or twelve 
dollars per head, while Canada lands her cattle 
without restrictions, thus giving her farmers the 
benefit of the difference. It is this, outrageous 
injustice which I complain of and which I am 
trying to rectify. 

The moment I found it possible to declare 
these allegations unwarranted, I requested the 
Department of State to enter into negotiations 
for their modification. As a result we have se- 
cured the removal of the restriction relative to 
sheep, and a concession on the part of the British 
Government, which permits our own veterinari- 
ans to inspect all live cattle landed in Great 
Britain. This will enable us to prove the fallacy 
of the charge made against our cattle, and com- 
pel the British Government to either withdraw 
its restrictions, or to admit the real cause of this 
discrimination. 

So far as our pork products are concerned and 
the unjust war waged upon them by some Euro- 
pean governments, the meat inspection bill re- 
cently passed by Congress and which has become 
a law, will enable us to warrant the wholesome- 
ness of our food products under the seal of an of- 
ficial inspection; and, having proved the injustice 
of those foreign discriminations, we can demand 
their withdrawal, or else enforce retaliatory 
measures against their exports to this country. 



388 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

Already the good effects of this bill are found in 
the attitude of the French press, which very gen- 
erally favors a modification of the restrictions 
imposed by the French Government on our hog 
products. Our cattle and meat industries aggre- 
gate such a vast sum annually, that they are well 
entitled to a vigorous national policy for their 
protection. We do not desire to interfere in any 
way with the fiscal policy of any nation. A 
majority of our own people believe in a policy of 
protection to our home markets and home in- 
dustries, and we concede the same right to every 
other country, but this country must no longer 
permit discriminations against our meat pro- 
ducts based upon false allegations of impurity or 
disease. If, when all has been done that it is in 
our power to do, they still refuse to deal justly 
with us, they must take the consequences, and we 
will try to make these equal to the occasion. 

Again the Department is extending the scope 
of its statistical inquiries, and promises to fur- 
nish to the farmers of the United States the latest 
and best information at hand regarding crops 
and markets. You have long been victims of the 
greed and avarice of the speculator, the monop- 
olist, and combinations of wealthy operators. 
Their circulation of false reports, their manipula- 
tion of the markets, their misrepresentations and 
exaggerations have been the bane of the farmer's 



AX AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS. 889 

life, and their ill-gotten gains have been wrung 
from the legitimate returns of your labors. 

I am giving you ou the 10th of each month 
such a complete statement of the conditions of 
crops and markets that you need not longer be 
imposed upon. Study that statement; persist in 
enlisting public opinion in your behalf and in se- 
curing legal enactments against the pernicious 
operations of these people. 

Finally, farmers of Ohio, the struggle for agri- 
cultural victory today is no less arduous or vital 
than our struggle for national supremacy in the 
past; but the present contest is one of peace and 
not of war, the weapons are not swords but 
plough-shares and pruning-hooks, and the results 
to the Union will be no less important for the 
cause is no less patriotic. 

The destiny of agriculture is in your hands. I 
invoke for you in your duties the blessings of a 
wisely-conducted government economically ad- 
ministered, of beneficent laws which insure your 
prosperity, and the blessings of a kindly Provi- 
dence upon all your aspirations. 



390 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 



CHAPTER XLI. 

HIS DEFENSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION. 

In 1892, during the pending campaign, General 
Rusk prepared and delivered the following 
speech, showing what the Administration, of 
which he was an honored member, had done for 
the American farmer and giving his reasons from 
a Republican standpoint why the Administration 
should be continued: 

I do not appear before you today for the pur- 
pose of assailing any party or individual, but to 
present to you my ideas on the great questions 
before the country from the standpoint of a Re- 
publican and of a loyal citizen. I do not know 
that there is anything I can say that will be in- 
structive. I simply want to tell you what I think 
of the Republican party, of the present adminis- 
tration, and of what it has done to add to the su- 
premacy, the stability, and the prosperity of the 
Republic. You are all reading and observing peo- 
ple, and have probably noted and appreciated the 
work done by President Harrison and his admin- 
istration to enhance the material interests of the 
people of this whole country. 



DEFENSE OF THE ADHINI&TEAT10N. 391 

I may be pardoned if I address you first in re- 
gard to those subjects with which I am most fa- 
miliar, and which for the past few years have ab- 
sorbed my attention in the Department of Agri- 
culture. 

I desire to mention first, as one of the most im- 
portant works accomplished by the Department, 
the complete eradication of the contagious pleuro- 
pneumonia of cattle. This was the principal ob- 
ject in view in establishing the Bureau of Ani- 
mal Industry. The disease had been widely 
spread, it was known to be extending, and it 
threatened the destruction of the great cattle in- 
dustry of the country. The eradication was un- 
dertaken in the face of many difficulties. We had 
no trained force accustomed to such work; our 
laws were imperfect; our people did not under- 
stand the necessity of the measures which were 
required, and were inclined to resist them. Not- 
withstanding these obstacles, the work went on 
successfully, and in March of this year the last 
affected cow was slaughtered. The States which 
have contained the original and worst hotbeds of 
this disease have been cleared of it during the 
last three years. 

Of the other great nations of the world which 
were engaged in efforts to stamp out this disease 
at the time we began, not one has yet been suc- 
cessful. Great Britain, France, Germany, Aus- 
tria, and Italy have all been endeavoring to ac- 



392 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

complish what we have done, but although they 
have had the advantage of having experienced 
men, and stringent laws, and circumscribed ter- 
ritory, the disease still exists in all of these coun- 
tries. In some of them no appreciable progress 
has been made towards its removal. 

But while the eradication of pleuro-pneumonia 
is a great work, and one over which our people 
should congratulate themselves, it is only one of 
a series of measures which have been undertaken 
and carried out for the protection and prosperity 
of the live-stock industry of the United States. 
The regulations for the prevention of Texas fever 
save three times as much money to cattle-growers 
each year as is required to run the whole Depart- 
ment of Agriculture. By separating the infec- 
tious from the healthy cattle in the cars and stock 
yards, and by requiring proper cleaning and dis- 
infection of the cars and yards, this disease has 
been almost entirely prevented. These regula- 
tions have not only guarded against the direct 
loss from the disease, but they have greatly fa- 
cilitated the transportation of cattle, and have 
been the chief factor in securing the reduction in 
insurance which saves, in that item alone, about 
$5 a head on every steer exported. 

Another measure which has had something to 
do with this saving is the inspection of vessels 
carrying export cattle. Such vessels must now 
have proper fittings and ventilation, and must 



DEFENSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION. 393 

carry a sufficient number of men to ensure the 
comfort and safety of the cattle. This saves losses 
from overcrowding, suffocation, poor care, and 
breakage of the fittings, amounting in a year to 
a considerable aggregate. 

The losses at sea from Texas fever and all other 
causes were greatly reduced during 1890 and 
1S91, and in the year ending June 30, 1S91, were 
only 1 3-5 per cent. This loss was considered very 
small and the insurance rates were reduced from 
8 per cent, on the value of the animals to about 
2 per cent. During the year ending June 30, 
1892, the loss has been still further reduced to 
7-8 of 1 per cent. This reduces the loss about 45 
per cent, in one year, and is a much better show- 
ing than any one expected could be made. 

In addition to this the Department has insti- 
tuted an inspection of all live animals which are 
exported. It also inspects all the dressed beef 
which is shipped from one State to another, or 
exported. Finally, it makes a microscopic ex- 
amination of all pork exported to the continent of 
Europe. These measures were necessary to re- 
store the confidence of the trade in our animals 
and meats— confidence which had been shaken 
and in some cases destroyed by exaggerated and 
false reports of disease, circulated by our com- 
petitors abroad or by alarmists in this country. 

If we would understand the results of this pol- 
icy to the farmers of the country we must recall 



394 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

the condition of our trade before it was put into 
operation. At that time our pork was absolutely 
prohibited from entering the markets of Ger- 
many, France, Denmark, Austria, Spain, and 
Italy. Our cattle, sheep, and swine were all killed 
on the docks where landed in Great Britain. Our 
trade in animals and meats was depressed, our 
markets glutted, and prices ruinously low. 

In 1881, the last year before these prohibitions 
went into effect, we exported 101 million dollars' 
worth of hog products. The next year our ex- 
ports dropped suddenly to 82 millions, a loss in 
trade of 22 million dollars in one year. But this 
was not the worst, for they kept shrinking more 
and more, until 1886, when they reached the low- 
est notch and were but 57 millions, showing a loss 
in trade from 1881 of 17 million dollars a year, 
or 45 per cent. From this time the recovery of 
the trade up to 1889 was very slight, as it then 
amounted to only 66 million dollars and still 
showed a loss of 38 million dollars as compared 
with 1881. 

Today we find the situation greatly changed. 
Our inspected pork is now received by all the 
countries which had adopted the destructive pro- 
hibitions. The prohibition enforced by Great 
Britain against our sheep has been removed. 
The confidence of the trade has been restored, 
and our animals and meats are now going abroad 
in greatly increased quantities. 



DEFENSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION. 895 

In 1SS9 we exported 205,786 head of cattle, 
while in 1892 we exported 394,607, an increase 
of 188,821 head, or about 92 per cent. The value 
of the exported cattle increased from f 16,600,000 
in 1889 to $35,000,000 in 1892, or 111 per cent. 
That is, notwithstanding the great increase in 
numbers, the increase in value was so much 
larger that it showed the animals to be worth $8 
per head more than in 1889. 

The exports of dressed beef increased from 
137,900,000 pounds in 1889 to 220,500,000 pounds 
in 1S92, or just about 60 per cent. 

The removal of the prohibition against our pork 
occurred so recently that its full effect upon the 
trade has been manifested for only a few months. 
Since this prohibition was removed more than 
40,000,000 pounds of inspected pork have been 
shipped to Europe. Comparing the trade in hog- 
products with Europe during corresponding 
months in 1S91 and 1S92, we find that in May, 
1892, there were shipped S2,000,000 pounds 
against 46,900,000 pounds in the same months of 
1S91. This shows an increase of 75 per cent. In 
June, 1892, the exports were 85,700,000 pounds 
against 46,500,000 pounds in the same month last 
y ear— an increase of 84 per cent. In July the in- 
crease was 41 per cent., and in August 55 per 
cent, over the corresponding months of 1S91. 
Taking the four months of May, June, July, and 
August together, we find an increase of 62 per 



396 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

cent, in the quantity of hog products sent to Eu- 
rope as compared with the same period in the 
preceding year. And this, in spite of an increase 
in the price of the exported articles. 

The great question is, however, what has been 
the effect of all this upon the prices received by 
farmers for the animals they have for sale? I 
have taken as a fair comparison the quotations 
for cattle in Chicago for the month of September, 
1889 and 1892. Although there were 37 per cent. 
more cattle marketed in September, 1S92, than in 
the corresponding month of 1889, there was a sat- 
isfactory increase in prices ranging from 24 1-2 
cents per 100 pounds on common steers to 7S 
cents per 100 pounds on what is known as second 
quality steers. The common butcher steers have 
been shipped in such enormous numbers that it 
is wonderful that they have held their own in 
price. We find, however, that they have not only 
held their own, but that their selling price in- 
creased 8 1-2 per cent. All other grades of steers 
have done much better than this. First quality 
steers increased 13 per cent.; second quality, 18 
per cent; good to choice, 181-4 per cent.; and 
medium to fair, 16 per cent. This makes an 
average increase all around of about 15 per cent., 
and amounts to from $4 to $15 per head accord- 
ing to the weight of each steer sold. 

The price of hogs has increased to an even 
greater degree. Taking September, 1890, the year 



DEFENSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION. S97 

before our inspection began, and comparing the 
price then with that of September, 1892, we find 
an increase of 80 cents per 100 pounds, or 18 1-4 
per cent, of the value. This adds an average of 
|2 per head to the selling price of every hog sold 
in the United States. Prices have been advanced 
to this extent notwithstanding the heaviest mar- 
keting of hogs that has been known in the his- 
tory of the country occurred during the last two 
years. Taking the two years ending March 1, 
1892, we find there were marketed in the United 
States 44,878,000 hogs as against 34,556,000 in the 
two preceding years — an increase of 10,322,000 
head, or 30 per cent. 

If the average selling price of cattle has in- 
creased only $8 per head — and this is a moderate 
estimate from the figures just given — that would 
make about 40 million dollars a year. Adding 
to this the 45 millions increase in the selling price 
of the hog crop, and we have a total of 85 million 
dollars put into the pockets of the farmers by the 
increase in price of their cattle and hogs sold in 
a single year. Then, of course, the breeding stock 
which is carried over is also increased in value, 
making altogether an enormous sum which can 
not fail to have a marked effect upon the pros- 
perity of those engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
It is surprising how much alarm to consumers 
and how much loss to producers have resulted 
from the constant receipt of cattle at our great 



S9S JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

stock yards affected with the disease known as 
"lumpy jaw." Many steers in fine condition, 
weighing from 1,200 to 1,800 pounds, and which, 
if they had been free from this disease, would 
have brought from 70 to 90 dollars, have been 
condemned and sold for a cent a pound. Many 
others badly affected have not brought enough to 
pay the expenses of their transportation and sale. 
This direct loss, added to the depressing effect of 
exaggerated and sensational reports concerning 
the disease, was extremely discouraging to an in- 
dustry which is only beginning to recuperate 
after years of depression. With this condition of 
affairs existing, it was gratifying to learn of a 
treatment that could be easily administered by 
stockmen and which promised much greater suc- 
cess than usually follows the treatment of other 
serious diseases of animals. This treatment had 
been used successfully with a disease of the same 
nature in Europe and by one of our inspectors in 
a few cases of lumpy jaw in this country. If uni- 
formly successful, it would be of so much value to 
our farmers that I determined to test it on a large 
scale. Accordingly, 150 head of diseased cattle 
were purchased by the Department of Agricul- 
ture and put under treatment, which consists sim- 
ply in giving one dose of iodide of potash every 
day. This experiment is not yet concluded. One- 
third of the animals, however, have been cured. 
Another third are so nearly cured as to leave no 



DEFENSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION. 399 

doubt of the successful result of the treatment. 
The remaining third, comprising the worst cases 
and those animals last purchased, are still in 
doubt. We know enough now, therefore, to make 
this treatment a great success; for if two-thirds 
of the diseased animals can be cured so easily 
and so cheaply, the losses from this cause will no 
longer have a serious effect upon the cattle in- 
dustry of the country. 

Now, as regards the question of the tariff, 
which has been made the subject of so much wild 
discussion that people approach it with awe, it 
is after all, so far as the present campaign is con- 
cerned, a very simple one. There is no occasion 
for discussion just now as to the details of the 
tariff; whether the duty on one article is too high, 
on another too low; whether this should be ad- 
mitted free or that subject to duty — it is whether 
the principle of protection to American labor is 
to stand as the basis for our tariff legislation. 
For many reasons I believe the present tariff to 
approach more nearly to the standard of full pro- 
tection to American labor than any we have ever 
had. To speak only of the benefits it has secured 
to the farmers: 

1. It has saved to the American farmer a home 
market for his barley, worth over $5,000,000 
yearly. 

2. It has saved to the American farmer a home 
market for his tobacco, worth $7,000,000 yearly. 



400 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

3. It has saved to the American farmer a home 
market for his potatoes, amounting to $1,600,000. 

4. It his saved to the American poultry-raiser 
a home market for his eggs, amounting to $1,700,- 

000 yearly. 

5. It has saved to the American fruit-grower a 
home market for his raisins, his prunes, nuts, and 
other fruits, worth $5,250,000 a year. 

6. It has saved the American wool-grower from 
utter ruin by protecting him from a disastrous 
competition with foreign 8-cent wool, keeping the 
price of American wool at an average of 30.5 cents 
per pound by comparison with an average of 13.7 
cents per pound, as shown by quotations of sim- 
ilar grades at corresponding dates in Philadel- 
phia and London. Difference in favor of the pro- 
tected American wool-grower, 16.8 cents per 
pound. 

This is good enough for me as far as it goes. I 
am not a half-way protectionist. When I say I 
believe in adequate protection to American labor, 

1 use the term in its broadest sense, and seek to 
protect it, whether it be labor in the factory or la- 
bor on the farm. Some people say, Would you put 
a duty on raw material? My reply is: I would put 
a duty upon every article, whether manufactured 
or grown, which foreigners can manufacture 
or grow so cheaply that they could, without 
a duty, undersell our American manufacturers 
and producers in our own markets. I do not dis- 



DEFENSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION. 401 

cuss the question of a high or low tariff. These 
are mere details in the application of the princi- 
ple of protection. A low duty may be adequate 
in one case, while a high duty may be necessary 
in another. The object is to make the protection 
afforded adequate. Moreover, I am convinced 
that the majority of the American people are be- 
lievers in the principle of protection to American 
labor, and consequently, I hold that tariff legis- 
lation must be entrusted to those who believe in 
it. Likewise it would be the height of folly to en- 
trust to those who oppose protection, either as 
unconstitutional or as unwise, the duty of adjust- 
ing our tariff. 

An official report of Great Britain, just issued, 
affords interesting evidence, showing that if our 
latest customs law is a tax, British manufactur- 
ers help to pay it. It shows that the value of 
British and Irish produce and manufactures has 
declined nearly 72 million dollars during seven 
months of the present year, from January to July, 
inclusive. This decline is due to falling off of 
trade in part, but mainly to a reduction in price, 
to offset the tariff charges which their goods meet 
here. As prices have not advanced here, the 
British are compelled to cut prices or fail to sell. 
We are controlling our own market, keeping tens 
of millions of money at home, and requiring for- 
eigners who want a share of our trade to pay for 

the privilege. 
26 



402 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

You will often hear the argument that protec- 
tion imposes a heavy tax upon the bulk of our 
people for the benefit of a few. We distinctly re- 
pudiate the claim that it is for the benefit of a 
few, our contention being that it is justified by 
the fact that it is for the greatest good of the 
greatest number, and that the whole country 
shares in the benefits of a judicious protective 
system. But we claim even more, namely, that 
it is the only method of raising revenue by which 
a share of the burden is thrown upon foreign na- 
tions. The question of who pays the tariff is a 
good deal like that of who pays the transporta- 
tion on goods bought in our own country. If you 
want goods very badly which you can't get in 
your own town, you must buy them elsewhere, 
and in that case you will probably have to pay 
the freight. On the other hand, where a factory 
produces more goods than its home custom will 
take and is compelled to find a market for them 
elsewhere, it is very likely to have to pay the 
freight to the point of delivery. So if we put a 
duty upon things which we can not produce in 
this country, we are pretty sure to have to pay the 
duty, or at least the largest share of it. But on a 
great many articles, I believe most of the articles 
imported from abroad, the duty or the greater 
part of it, is paid by the foreign producer. This 
will be disputed, of course, by the enemies of pro- 
tection, but I think I can cite one or two facts 



DEFENSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION. 403 

which Mill convince you that such is the case. 
First, as regards British trade. The reports of 
the Board of Trade of that country — and the 
Board of Trade there is a government institution 
— indicate a large falling off in British exports 
during the past twelve months; and they further 
indicate that, while the falling off in quantity 
was very small, the falling off in value was very 
considerable. The total decline amounted to over 
71 million dollars, of which by far the greater 
part was due to the reduction in values, and this 
reduction was particularly marked in the case of 
textile fabrics and metal goods. Add to this the 
fact that English papers are constantly criticis- 
ing our present tariff as hostile to the interest of 
British manufacturers. Another instance I may 
mention, and that is that there recently came un- 
der my notice an extract from a paper published 
at Munich, Germany, in which, after referring to 
the heavy losses imposed upon German manufac- 
turers by the present tariff in the United States, 
Germans in the old country were urged to write 
earnestly to their German friends and relatives in 
this country, urging them to vote against the Re- 
publican party at the coming elections, and thus 
help to effect a repeal of the present tariff law in 
the United States. This fact will, I think, show 
clearly enough whether the foreigners believe 
and feel that a large portion of the duties levied 
in this country comes out of their pockets. 



404 JEREMIAH M. HUSK. 

The allegation of some of the enemies of pro- 
tection, namely, that it is unconstitutional, seems 
to me almost too absurd for discussion. What 
we have to consider is what is for the greatest 
good of the greatest number, and if on this basis 
we decide in favor of protection, it is obviously 
within the constitutional prerogative of Congress 
to make such laws as will carry this principle 
into effect; but if there are any weak-kneed ultra- 
constitutionalists who have doubts on that score, 
I would refer them to Mr. George Ticknor Curtis, 
a Democratic lawyer who antagonizes Senator 
Hill's allegation that a protective tariff is uncon- 
stitutional, by a reference to the first revenue law 
of the United States passed in 17S9. There were 
in that House ten members who had been mem- 
bers of the convention which framed the Consti- 
tution. Mr. Madison was the leader on the floor, 
and conducted the bill through the House; Wash- 
ington was President, Hamilton was Secretary of 
the Treasury, Jefferson was Secretary of State, 
and Eandolph was Attorney-General. These men 
ought to be pretty good authorities for Ameri- 
cans as to what was in accordance with the Con- 
stitution which they had framed. The preamble 
of this tariff act, passed July 4, 1789, reads as fol- 
lows: 

Whereas, It is necessary for the support of 
Government, for the discharge of the debts of the 
United States, and the encouragement and pro- 



DEFENSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION. 405 

tectiofl of manufactures, that duties be laid on 
goods, wares, and merchandise imported: Be it 
enacted, etc., That from and after the first day of 
August next ensuing, the several duties herein- 
after mentioned shall be laid on the following 
goods, wares, and merchandise imported into the 
United States from any foreign port or place. 

The subject of reciprocity must always be con- 
sidered in connection with that of protection. As 
long ago as April, 1890, I had occasion to speak 
in a discussion of this subject, as follows: 

Accompanying this principle of protection to 
the American farmer is that of reciprocity, which 
should invariably be applied whenever that of 
protection is relaxed. If there are products 
grown to better advantage in other countries, 
remission of duty on which would seem to be in 
the interest of a large portion of our population, 
such remission should only be accorded as the re- 
sult of reciprocal concession in the way of a re- 
mission of duty by such other countries on prod- 
ucts more readily grown here. Many of those 
countries which would be specially benefited by 
a remission of the duty on sugar by our Govern- 
ment would afford an excellent market for our 
bread stuffs and dairy and meat products, were 
it not for the high duties imposed thereon by 
them. So with other products, and whenever 
duty on such products is lowered or removed and 
the protection to our farmers thus diminished, it 



406 JEREMIAH 31. RUSK. 

should be as the price of concessions made to us 
in the tariff of other countries in favor of our 
own farm products. In this way, and in this way 
only, can our farmers be adequately protected, 
new markets being thus thrown open to them for 
those products which they can most easily and 
cheaply produce. 

I will add to the above statement that reci- 
procity, so far as it has been tried under our pres- 
ent tariff law, has not failed to effect some of the 
good results which were then anticipated. In 
the island of Cuba alone, the imports of products 
of the United States showed an increase for the 
ten months ending June 30, of nearly 6 millions 
of dollars over and above the corresponding pe- 
riod of the year previous, while the total value of 
our exports of domestic products to the countries 
south of us from the time these treaties went into 
effect to June 30 last showed an increase of more 
than 8 millions of dollars as compared with cor- 
responding periods prior to the establishment of 
reciprocal relations, an increase practically 
amounting to 24 per cent, in that trade. We 
must naturally look for an increase of our trade 
by means of reciprocity to those countries par- 
ticularly which lie in the tropical regions, and 
which, consequently, produce many things which 
are not grown in this country, while they stand 
in need of many things we produce. It is particu- 
larly desirable, therefore, for the benefit of our 



DEFENSE OF THE ADMINISTBATION. 407 

American agriculture, that we should largely ex- 
tend our trade with the equatorial countries of 
this continent. At the same time, there are many 
ways in which foreign markets in other parts of 
the world can be reached and a demand estab- 
lished there for our agricultural products. 

I have already shown what has been accom- 
plished through the work of the Bureau of Ani- 
mal Industry, which, by the eradication and con- 
trol of animal diseases and by a careful inspec- 
tion of animals both live and slaughtered, raises 
the estimation in which our animal food products 
are held abroad. 

But there are other ways to increase the de- 
mand for products. I have been trying to do 
what I could to extend our foreign markets for 
American agricultural products by spreading in- 
formation regarding them. I have taken corn as 
one of the most important of our staple crops, 
and one of which we export but a very small pro- 
portion, on an average, about 4 per cent. EJereto- 
fore, when our corn exports have been large, it 
has always been in years of great abundance and 
very low prices. The reason is, that people in 
Europe have heretofore used American Indian 
corn solely as feed for cattle, and, consequently, 
have only used it extensively when the price was 
very low. I have been trying to show the peo- 
ple in that part of the world the value of Indian 
corn as a food for human beings, so as to estab- 



408 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

lish, if possible, a steady demand for Indian corn 
or corn meal, or some of the other forms of Indian 
corn so favorably known in the domestic economy 
of our American homes. It has been difficult 
work, because nothing is harder than to remove 
prejudice, and when people have been accus- 
tomed for years to regard an article as fit only for 
the food of cattle and swine, it is not easy to per- 
suade them to eat it themselves. Patience and 
perseverance have, however, at last succeeded in 
giving us some good results. The work has been 
directed especially to the markets of Great Brit- 
ain and Germany, the two countries in Europe 
that are obliged every year to import a large pro- 
portion of their cereal foods. In Great Britain, 
the use of Indian corn in some of its various 
forms is slowly, but steadily and surely, gaining 
ground. In Germany it has, for obvious reasons, 
been more rapid, the main reason being that a 
large proportion of the German people use rye 
bread, and that last year the export of rye from 
Kussia, whence the Germans used to draw a large 
portion of their supply, was cut off, with the re- 
sult of raising the price of rye very materially. 
As soon as the Russian supply was cut off, I dis- 
patched our corn agent in Europe to Germany, 
and he has been indefatigable in his efforts there 
since that time, with the result that today there 
are a dozen cities in Germany, outside of Berlin, 
where bread is sold made of rye and corn meal 



DEFENSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION. 409 

mixed, and there are no less than fourteen mills 
to our knowledge into which corn-grinding ap- 
paratus from America has been introduced for 
the purpose of preparing the meal. You. will not 
be surprised to know that as a result, the first six 
months of this calendar year showed an export 
of over 55 millions of bushels valued at 29 mil- 
lion dollars, against 11 million bushels valued at 
$7,S00,000 for the same period of the previous 
year. But another gratifying fact is to be noted. 
As I have already stated, whenever our ship- 
ments of corn abroad have been large heretofore 
the price has been low, while this year such is 
not the case. Thus in 1890, the only year in 
which exports were as large as those of the past 
season, the average price at port of shipment was 
less than 42 cents, while the average price at port 
of shipment in 1892, has been a trifle over 55 cents 
per bushel. 

Could we secure an advance of even 5 cents a 
bushel on an average for corn during the next 
ten years, which might well be done and still en- 
able us to supply the foreign demand at a price 
far below that of other cereal foods of equal 
value the result would be to add a thousand mil- 
lion dollars to the value of this crop during that 
period. 

It is gratifying to note in these days when so 
many people are prone to raise the cry of calam- 
ity, especially as regards our agricultural inter- 



410 JEREMIAH M. R USE. 

ests, that our foreign trade for the fiscal year end- 
ing June 30, 1892, presents the most favorable re- 
turns of any year in our history, especially as re- 
gards agricultural products. For the first time 
in our history our export trade has passed the 
billion dollar mark, amounting to over 1,030 mil- 
lion dollars, of which 1,015 millions consisted of 
domestic products, and of this enormous sum, 
farm products furnished 78.1 per cent., or an ag- 
gregate value of 79-1 million dollars. This ex- 
ceeds by more than 150 millions the value of our 
shipments of agricultural products in any single 
previous year, while it surpasses the record of 
18S9, in which year the present administration 
undertook the direction of affairs, by more than 
260 millions. In 1888 and 1889 the balance of 
trade was against us by several million dollars, 
while in the past fiscal year the balance of trade 
in our favor exceeded 202 millions against 40 mil- 
lions last year. One of the most gratifying fea- 
tures connected with this most favorable show- 
ing is the fact that in the items showing heavy in- 
crease in shipments there is an increase in the 
prices received. Not only has the market been 
larger, but the prices realized by our producers 
were better. I have already shown this in de- 
tail in the case of our animal products, and also 
in the case of corn. Our import trade for the 
past fiscal year aggregated 827 millions, of 
which it appears that more than half was made 



DEFENSE OF THE ADM IN IS TBA II ON. 4 1 1 

up of agricultural products, these showing an in- 
crease of 18 millions over similar imports in 1891, 
and of 53 millions over 1890. It must be noted, 
however, that this increase is mainly confined to 
such products as do not compete with our own 
production. There are, however, among our im- 
ports a sufficient number coming into competi- 
tion with our own agricultural products to em- 
phasize the necessity upon which I have so often 
insisted— of our making persistent efforts to en- 
large the scope of our agricultural production in 
this country, so as to remove altogether our de- 
pendence upon foreign countries for such pro- 
ducts as can be grown in this country. All pos- 
sible encouragement should therefore be given to 
efforts designed to substitute home-grown for 
foreign products. 

I need not enumerate to you the splendid 
achievements of the administration in matters 
affected by diplomacy, notably in the Bering Sea 
matter, the Chilean affair, the Venezuelan epi- 
sode, and in the matter of Canadian tolls. These 
are matters of history and have won the commen- 
dation and praise of patriotic citizens of every 
political creed. The diplomatic policy of the 
country under the preceding administration had 
lessened the respect entertained for America by 
every other nation on the globe. The weak, vac- 
illating hesitating policy of this branch of the 
Government under the previous administration, 



412 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

humiliating to every American and lover of his 
country, will be well remembered by you all. 
Happily for the nation's honor and integrity a 
change came, all of these conditions were re- 
versed, and today the American flag is respected 
and honored in every nation of the world. 

The management of the national finances un- 
der this administration has been all that was 
promised the people during the last campaign. 
The public debt has been largely reduced, and 
also the annual interest thereon. A two per cent, 
loan has been negotiated, and an increase in the 
circulating volume of the currency has been 
made. The financial condition of the Government 
was never better or more satisfactory than at the 
present time. 

The administration of the War Department 
since the present administration came into 
power has resulted in great good for the service. 
The standing and efficiency of the Army have 
been improved, and a constant effort is being 
made to raise that standard. Encouragement 
has been given to new methods and ideas in im- 
proved implements and munitions of war, and a 
studied effort has been at all times made to place 
our small standing army on a thorough war 
footing. 

The work of the Navy Department during the 
present administration has been in the line of the 
construction of the new navy which was com- 



DEFENSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION. 413 

mencecl in 1SS3 under the administration of 
President Arthur. During this administration 
the keels of twenty-three vessels have been laid, 
these vessels aggregating 94,265 tons tonnage. 
This tonnage is greatly in excess of that con- 
structed in the previous administration. Four 
of these battle-ships possess in an unusual degree 
a happy combination of the characteristic feat- 
ures necessary to produce vessels of the highest 
possible efficiency as sea fighting machines. 
These characteristics are those of high speed, 
powerful all-around fire, and heavy armor. They 
are vessels of a little over 10,000 tons displace- 
ment, and equipped with the most modern style 
of war implements. When the vessels now in 
course of construction are completed, the Navy of 
the United States will consist of 14 armored 
ships and 32 unarmored ships. Before this ad- 
ministration came into power this country pos- 
sessed no armor-piercing projectiles, without 
which it would be foolish to attempt to fight with 
foreign armorclads, and there was no establish- 
ment in this great country which could manu- 
facture them. Through the efforts of the present 
Secretary of the Navy, American firms obtained 
the secret of the manufacture of two of the finest 
types of armor-piercing projectiles known and the 
service is now being furnished with these pro- 
jectiles of a quality equal to, if not superior to, 
those of foreign make. The work of this Depart 



414 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

ment has been progressive with the single view 
of placing our Navy upon a first-class war 
footing. 

The Department of the Interior presents an- 
other striking instance of the economy of man- 
agement which has characterized all of the great 
departments of the Government under President 
Harrison. To attempt a summary of all these 
different lines of retrenchment would occupy 
more time than I am able to give. This great De- 
partment embraces the General Land Office, all 
Indian matters, pensions, patents, and the cen- 
sus. It is a vast machine, and under its present 
management has proved of incalculable benefit 
to the people. During the preceding administra- 
tion the work in the Patent Office was practically 
at a standstill. Patents were withheld from 
many thousands of applicants. When the pres- 
ent administration came into power a vast ac- 
cumulation of work was found on hand. This 
great volume of business has been transacted sat- 
isfactorily, new applications have been attended 
to and the Patent Office is now fully up with the 
current work. 

The record made by the Postoffice Depart- 
ment under its present management has given 
marked satisfaction to the people of this country. 
All of the people are vitally interested in an ad- 
equate postal service, and this has been given us. 
During the present administration the Postoffice 



DEFENSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION. 415 

Department has been reorganized, placed on a 
broader and more effective working basis, and 
has given better results with even less ex- 
penditure than ever before. The reduction in the 
annual deficiency asked for from Congress in the 
postal appropriation indicates a decided ap- 
proach to a self-sustaining basis. Efforts in the 
direction of a universal free delivery are among 
the possibilities of postal affairs under a continu- 
ance of its present management. 

The Department of Justice, during the incum- 
bency of its present head, has increased in effi- 
ciency, and has given that faithful attention to 
details which the important matters submitted to 
it demand. Nothing has been slighted, and 
everything has received conscientious attention. 
The important work of this Department during 
the past three and a half years for the commer- 
cial interests of the country can not be over esti- 
mated, and the work performed has received the 
merited approval of the people of the whole coun- 
try. Among the many questions submitted to 
the Department of Justice was the suit testing 
the constitutionality of the McKinley tariff law; 
the suit brought by importers to have the law 
known as the Dingley law, providing that 
worsteds should be classed as woolens, declared 
invalid; the Texas boundary question; and the 
enforcement of the Chinese Exclusion Act. 
Added to this was the immense amount of work 



416 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

necessary to defeat dishonest claims against the 
Government, in the Circuit and District Courts 
and the Court of Claims. 

Now I want to say a few words to you about 
the Union soldier and pension matters. A few 
weeks ago we were treated in Washington to an 
object lesson in patriotism that will never be for- 
gotten by those who were fortunate enough to be 
present and see the eighty thousand men who 
had bared their breasts to the enemies of their 
country marching in line with their tattered bat- 
tle flags over the same line of march pursued in 
1SG5 by the victorious army which had put down 
the rebellion. This procession was made up of 
men who had all passed middle life, and all suf- 
fered untold privations and sufferings to main- 
tain their country's honor when foes assailed it. 
During the administration of President Cleveland 
about 1,800 bills granting pensions to these sol- 
diers were passed by Congress. Of this number 
524 were vetoed by the President, who had not 
participated in the war, who had not lifted his 
voice in favor of the perpetuation of the Union, 
and who had never uttered one word of sympa- 
thy during that great struggle for the men who 
were at the front. 

During President Harrison's administration 
about 1,500 bills granting pensions to Union sol- 
diers have passed the two Houses of Congress, 
every one of which received Executive approval. 



D EFENSE OF THE A DMINIS TRA TION. 417 

I ask the Union soldiers present to mark the con- 
trast between these two records— the first that of 
a man without sympathy for the cause they rep- 
resented in the field, and the latter that of a com- 
rade who recently said— I quote his words exact- 
ly, for I think they will touch the heart of every 
Union soldier— "The Union soldiers and sailors 
are now veterans of time as well as of war. The 
parallels of age have approached close to the cit- 
adels of life, and the end for each of a brave and 
honorable struggle is not remote. Increasing in- 
firmity and years give the minor tones of sadness 
and pathos to the mighty appeal of service and 
suffering. The ear that does not listen with sym- 
pathy and the heart that does not respond with 
generosity are the ear and heart of an alien and 
not of an American. Now, soon again, the sur- 
viving veterans are to parade upon the great 
avenue of the National Capital, and every tribute 
of honor and love should attend the march. A 
comrade in the column of the victors in 1865, I 
am not less a comrade now." These are the 
words of gallant Ben Harrison, your President, 
the words of a patriot who was at the front dur- 
ing the whole of the war, and whose whole heart 
and sympathies are with the survivors of that 
war. 

27 



418 JEREMIAH 31. BUSK. 



CHAPTER XLII. 
SECRETARY RUSK'S LOYALTY TO HIS CHIEF. 

It would have been a pleasing and grateful, as 
well as an appropriate task, to supplement the 
foregoing brief sketch of General Rusk's adminis- 
trative work as Secretary of Agriculture with a 
picture of the Secretary at the President's council 
table, and to speak of his place and work in the 
Cabinet. The sanctity of Cabinet councils, how- 
ever, is never invaded. The veil of confidence 
which shelters them from curious eyes is never 
drawn aside. No man could have been more 
scrupulous than was Secretary Rusk, even among 
his closest friends, in observing absolute discre- 
tion as to Cabinet matters. We must therefore 
be content to gauge his place among his col- 
leagues and in the confidence of his chief by the 
unanimous tributes of respect and regard with 
which they sought to express their sympathy for 
his bereaved family, and their sense of their own 
and the Government's loss in his death, and es- 
pecially by the introductory chapter of this work 
which ex-President Harrison has himself con- 
tributed. 



R USE? S LOYALTY TO HIS CHIEF. 4 1 9 

One fact which testifies strongly to the confi- 
dence he inspired is that almost from his first as- 
sociation with President Harrison as a member 
of his Cabinet his relations assumed a confiden- 
tial and friendly character, which grew and 
strengthened during every year of the adminis- 
tration. 

As Secretary Rusk often said of himself, when 
he gave a man his confidence he gave it to him 
absolutely, and there was no man whom he called 
friend but learned to appreciate the fact that no 
stronger bond exists than that which represented 
in Secretary Rusk's mind the sacred tie of friend- 
ship. The confidence and friendship bestowed 
upon him by his chief was reciprocated in the 
highest degree. So well was this understood by 
those who knew the Secretary best that many of 
them, even without having addressed him on the 
subject, unhesitatingly asserted his position in 
regard to Mr. Harrison's renomination by the Re- 
publican party. They were not mistaken. When 
the time came for an expression of his views, 
Secretary Rusk spoke promptly, briefly and em- 
phatically. "I believe," he said, "that President 
Harrison has made one of the best Presidents we 
have ever had. I believe him to be one of the 
most capable men in the Republican party. I 
am convinced that that party can win with Har- 
rison if it can win with anyone, and that his re- 
election, followed by another four years of his 



420 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

administration, would be conducive to the best 
interests of the country. Mr. Harrison is willing 
to serve again, and I am with him first, last aud 
all the time. I hope to see him nominated on the 
first ballot." Such was the plain statement of 
his attitude in anticipation of the Minneapolis 
convention, and even when interested friends as- 
sured him that Mr. Harrison could not be nom- 
inated, and besought him to permit the use of his 
own name, yes, even when some went so far as to 
assure him that the Blaine men were ready to ac- 
cept him in place of their chosen candidate, that 
nothing could save the Republican party but the 
nomination of a "dark horse" candidate (and only 
those who were very close to Secretary Rusk dur- 
ing those exciting days know how strong and 
persistent was the pressure brought to bear upon 
him), the grand old man remained unmoved to 
the end until, finally, determined to put an end to 
any possible speculation as to his attitude and to 
any possible anticipation of his yielding to the 
pressure of friends and the promptings of per- 
sonal ambition, he himself dictated to a repre- 
sentative of the press the following brief but 
pointed declaration: "My name cannot be used 
either singly or in combination against the Pres- 
ident, and no friend of mine will suggest such 
use." His loyalty to his friend and chief never 
wavered for an instant, and it will not be amiss 
to reproduce here the personal letter with whicn 



BUSK'S LOYALTY TO JUS CHIEF. 421 

on the 3d of March, 1893, Secretary Rusk accom- 
panied his formal letter of resignation to the Pres- 
ident as Secretary of Agriculture: 

"March 3, 1893. 
"Dear Mr. President: 

"In forwarding to you the customary letter of 
resignation I cannot refrain from adding a few 
lines expressive of my warm appreciation of the 
courtesy— I may add the friendliness, which has 
ever characterized your intercourse with me dur- 
ing the four years that I have had the honor of 
being so closely associated with you. That our 
relations have been so harmonious and so con- 
genial, I attribute in large measure to the rare 
good judgment, unvarying courtesy of manner, 
and true kindliness of heart which so markedly 
characterizes him whom I now have the honor to 
address for the last time as my honored chief. It 
is gratifying to me in the highest degree to have 
been associated with the official life of one who 
will, as tU years roll on, stand higher and higher, 
I am convinced, in the appreciation of his fellow- 
citizens. Moreover, to the honor of serving in 
your Cabinet, I now add the more than ever 
proud privilege of calling you my friend, and I do 
assure you, Mr. President, that above all the hon- 
ors and dignity, and the credit which perchance 
I may have won as a member of your Cabinet, I 
esteem that privilege of personal friendship with 
yourself. My chief regret, believe me, apart from 



422 JEREMIAH M. B USE. 

that which as an American citizen I must always 
feel in the retirement of one whom my every con- 
viction pronounces one of the best Presidents our 
country has ever known, is that for the future my 
intercourse with one whom I have learned to re- 
gard with so much affection and esteem, will be 
interrupted. In retiring from the high office you 
have filled so acceptably you take with you the 
earnest commendation of all upright, thoughtful 
men, of whatever political party they may be. To 
this most gratifying reflection you can add that 
which I am sure will give you almost as much 
gratification, namely, that you carry with you 
into private life the sincere friendship, the heart- 
felt regard and the warmest good wishes of those 
who gathered around your official table as your 
official advisers and who leave it, at the close of 
your Administration, your earnest well-wishers 
and most affectionate friends, than whom none 
can subscribe himself more sincerely yours, Mr. 

President, than 

J. M. Eusk. 

The President's note of the same date to his re- 
tiring Secretary was as follows: 

Executive Mansion, 

March 3d, 1893. 
Dear GenH: 

No man ever had a truer friend than you have 
been to me. You have made reputation for your- 



KUSXTS LOYALTY TO JUS CHIEF. 423 

self and for me in your department, but in part- 
ing with you I can think only of my friend. You 
will always be a most welcome guest at my fire- 
side. 

Most sincerely your friend, 

Benj. Harrison. 
Gen. J. M. Kusk. 



424 JEREMIAH M. 11 USK. 



CHAPTER XLIII. 

CLOSING WORK. 

It was characteristic of Secretary Rusk's en- 
ergy and loyalty to duty that after the election of 
1892, in which the Republican party had been de- 
feated, and which had set a definite term to his 
career as a Cabinet officer, he returned to his 
work with zest and energy. He resumed his ef- 
forts through the State Department towards a re- 
moval of the restrictions on the American cattle 
trade still persistently maintained by the British 
Government in spite of the continued immunity 
of this country from the contagious pleuro-pneu- 
monia upon the existence of which these restric- 
tions were based. Secretary Rusk had for some 
time contemplated with grave concern the prac- 
tical effacement of our export butter trade, 
through the persistent efforts of the Danish farm- 
ers, backed by their extraordinary skill in dairy- 
ing, which in that country had been reduced to a 
science, and by the scrupulousness with which 
they preserved the integrity of that product, and 
he determined that one of the first steps to be 



CLOSING WORK. 425 

taken in the hope of enabling the American 
dairy farmer to regain his place in foreign mar- 
kets, was to closely study Danish methods and 
the conditions of Danish dairying, thus acquir- 
ing a knowledge of the causes which had led to 
the wonderful success of this small and compara- 
tively insignificant country in almost monopoliz- 
ing the London trade in foreign butter. Al- 
though he knew that it would be impossible to 
secure such a report in time for publication dur- 
ing his own administration, once his mind was 
made up as to the value of it he did not hesitate 
a moment, and as soon as he was able to engage 
the services of a suitable person, he despatched 
him to Denmark for the purpose of making a 
thorough study of dairying in that country, with 
the result that a most practical report on the sub- 
ject was published during the summer of 1893. 

No chief could possibly have endeared himself 
more to the employes of the Department than did 
"Uncle Jerry," for many of them had adopted in 
speaking of him the friendly cognomen bestowed 
upon him by his Wisconsin constituents. His 
genial, kindly manner, even the ring of the hearty 
laughter which was often heard to emanate from 
his room, impressed all his subordinates favor- 
ably. 

Warm-hearted and kindly towards all those 
with whom he was brought into personal contact, 
purely democratic in the original sense of the 



4.'2'6 J ERE MI A H M. B USK. 

word, he was nevertheless always dignified and 
thoroughly observant of the proprieties which in 
his position became the high office he held, al- 
though he never hestitated to ridicule an exces- 
sive assumption of formality and the exaggerated 
tendency to multiply needless forms and cere- 
monies which seems to develop so naturally in 
the atmosphere of the nation's capital, fanned as 
it is by the presence of foreign diplomats to the 
manor born as regards questions of etiquette and 
ceremonial detail. 

It always went hard with him to find fault with 
a subordinate deliberately, though when ac- 
tuated by impulse he would often express himself 
with such vigor as to positively startle the of- 
fender, until the Secretary's sudden transition 
from apparently frenzied indignation to quiet 
good humor, and the sudden conversion of violent 
vituperation into a hearty laugh at his own ex- 
aggerated expressions of wrath, would convince 
him that the bark was worse than the bite. Very 
often a rebuke or criticism was followed by some 
good humored remark calculated to restore the 
victim's equanimity, such as, "If I didn't know 
you were worth scolding I would not have jumped 
on you. I never do scold a man unless I know he 
is a good fellow and worth it." His favorite 
method of reproof, if reproof it could be called, 
which was rather an expression of dissent from 
another's judgment than aught else, was to com- 



CLOSING WORK. 427 

bine a humorous thrust at the object of his dis- 
approval with a flattering observation as to the 
ability displayed. 

Two of the most important publications which 
ever emanated from the National Government 
and which materially affected the interests of 
nearly the whole people were the Special Report 
on Diseases of the Horse and Special Report on 
Diseases of Cattle, which were issued under Sec- 
retary Rusk's direction. These books were in 
great demand and several editions were printed 
by the General Government. In addition to this, 
private parties issued editions of them and they 
probably had a wider circulation than any books 
ever issued in America. Of the work on Diseases 
of the Horse Senator Joe Blackburn of Kentucky 
made the statement on the floor of the United 
States Senate that this book alone was worth one 
and a half millions of dollars annually to the 
state of Kentucky. These books were written in 
plain English language, free from all technical 
terms, and were within the comprehension of the 
most uneducated farmer. The chapter on Shoe- 
ing of Horses, in the horse book, by the lamented 
Dr. Dixon, is concededly the most valuable in its 
results of any single chapter ever issued by an 
American author, while the chapter on Feeding 
of Cattle, in the cattle book, by Prof. William A. 
Henry, Dean of the College of Agriculture of the 



428 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

University of Wisconsin, possesses the highest 
value to all intelligent cattle growers. 

In 1892, Secretary Rusk accompanied Presi- 
dent Harrison on his trip to the Pacific Coast. 
Next to the President himself, most eagerness 
was manifested to see "Uncle Jerry," who had 
made himself the idol of the Pacific Coast through 
the interest he had taken in protecting their fruit 
growing interests. At every point a scramble 
was made to get to him and he was always heart- 
ily and enthusiastically received. The General 
did but little talking on the trip; only when 
called upon he would indulge in a few little pleas- 
antries, leaving the crowd always in the best of 
humor. At Omaha, on the return trip, the em- 
ployes of the Postal Service, all fully uniformed, 
were drawn up in line to give greeting to Post- 
master General Wanamaker, who was one of the 
party. Shortly after their procession had dis- 
banded an immense herd of Texas cattle, which 
were being driven through the streets, passed by 
the reviewing stand where the President and the 
visiting party were, and about the same time that 
General Rusk was called upon to make a few re- 
marks. He referred to the fact that his constitu- 
ents were not so well dressed and didn't make 
such a good appearance as Postmaster General 
Wanamaker's did, but that they were of the 
greatest importance to the material interests of 



CLOSING WORK. 429 

the country. General Rusk's quick and ready 
repartee stood him well in hand at every point on 
the trip and the recollections of the people of his 
visit are borne very keenly in mind. 



430 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 



CHAPTER XLIV. 

EETIRES TO PRIVATE LIFE. 

On the 8th of March, 1S93, General Rusk sur- 
rendered the trust as Secretary of Agriculture 
which had been placed in his hands by General 
Harrison, and which had been so faithfully ad- 
ministered during four years, to Hon. J. Sterling 
Morton, of Nebraska, and after a short residence 
in Washington to arrange his affairs retired to 
his farm at Viroqua. He assumed the active 
charge of this beautiful farm of 400 acres, re- 
modeled his house, placed everything in repair, 
and settled down to an agricultural life. 

One of the Washington correspondents, ever 
on the alert for news of their old friends, suc- 
ceeded in obtaining this information as to what 
he was doing through a private letter, written by 
a lady: 

"I saw Secretary Rusk yesterday, and what do 
you suppose he was doing? Building and fixing 
up the house on his farm — papering, painting 
and repairing it — and to this he expects to remove 
in a very short time. I drove out to the farm, as 



BE TIE E S TO FBI VA TE LIFE. 431 

I was told he spent all his time there. He re- 
ceived me in a long room, which had cheerful 
double windows on all sides looking out upon his 
broad acres. He gave me the one chair in the 
room and seated himself on a pile of books, which 
extended almost the entire length of the room. 
He was attired in an old suit of clothes, which 
bore evidence of the work going on, as here and 
there was an occasional splash of green, white or 
brown paint, and his hands, big and generous as 
they are, showed plainly that he knew how to 
lend a helping hand when occasion demanded. 
He looked the farmers' friend, ready at all times 
to work for their interest. He had none the less 
the look of the statesman, with a broad idea of 
life and people, ready to grasp the situation at a 
moment's notice and act accordingly. I felt 
proud of our Wisconsin Governor and ex-Secre- 
tary of Agriculture, and felt like crying, 'Hurrah 
for Uncle Jerry.' He can always see what is to 
be done, and does it." 

The General was a thorough farmer, and it was 
but a short time before his place w T as the admira- 
tion of all the surrounding tillers of the soil. In- 
deed it was referred to as the "model farm." His 
guiding hand could be seen everywhere, and it 
was his ambition to make it the best conducted 
farm in the whole country. Here he received his 
friends, and on his broad porch talked over na- 
tional affairs, in which he always felt the keenest 



432 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

interest. Probably no other man ever held him- 
self so close to the wants and desires of the farm- 
ers of this country as did General Rusk, and this 
he did by actual contact with the farmers them- 
selves. The interest he had manifested in their 
welfare while conducting the Department of 
Agriculture was not abated in the least degree 
after his retirement. During his service as Gov- 
ernor he had paid especial attention to the inter- 
ests of agriculture, and had given encouragement 
in every way possible to the upbuilding of its in- 
terests in the State. Called upon at the meeting 
of the State Agricultural Society in 1887 for a 
few remarks, the General had presented some 
statistics which were surprising to those who had 
not had occasion to look them up. The news had 
leaked out that Gov. Rusk was coming to the 
State Fair at Milwaukee, and would speak, and 
the people rightly judged that the grand stand 
was the best place from which to see and hear 
Wisconsin's chief executive. He appeared on the 
track at 1:30 o'clock, accompanied by President 
Sanger, and was greeted with hearty and long 
continued cheers by the 15,000 people present as 
his carriage passed before the grand stand. Ris- 
ing in the vehicle, Gov. Rusk said: 

"Ladies and gentlemen, fellow citizens: A few 
days since I received a very kind and cordial invi- 
tation from the secretary of your society to visit 
your fair and speak to your people. My time has 



RETIRES TO PRIVATE LIFE. 433 

all been taken up with other matters since then, 
so that I promise you my remarks will be brief. 
Then as I came upon the grounds I remembered 
that a man who tries to speak against a horse 
race is very likely to be left (laughter), which is 
yet another reason why I should be brief. 

"I have just returned from a gathering at 
Columbus, Ohio, of the men who kept step to the 
music of the Union in the dark days of '61--'65, 
and I have not recovered entirely from the in- 
spiration I received at that grand meeting. One 
of the objects of our visit to Columbus was to as- 
sist in securing the meeting of the Grand Army 
next year for Milwaukee. In this we were suc- 
cessful, and this city will witness the gathering 
of 250,000 survivors of the great patriotic army 
who defended their country and her flag. Wis- 
consin is making rapid strides to the front in agri- 
culture and other industries. No State in the 
Union stands higher for fertile soil, pure water, 
good health and intelligent people. The indus- 
tries of the State are so diversified that prosperity 
attends them all. While other portions of our 
country are afflicted with contagious diseases, we 
are free from everything of the description among 
our people. Wisconsin is in the advance guard 
of enlightenment in many respects. Our univer- 
sity has grown to be one of the leading institu- 
tions of the country for a higher education; our 
normal schools and our public schools are among 
28 



434 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

the best of the land. Our farmers' institutes have 
attracted the attention of the whole nation. 
These are all the results of a liberal and progres- 
sive citizenship, without which laws could not 
have been enacted for their maintenance. 

"Wisconsin has this year an acreage of wheat, 
1,000,000; corn, 1,500,000; oats, 1,500,000; barley, 
500,000; rye, 250,000. Last year the money value 
of grain raised was fully $50,000,000; of live stock, 
-$25,000,000; of hay, $15,000,000; of dairy products, 
§21,000,000; of wool, $G,000,000; of potatoes, 
14,000,000; of tobacco, $2,000,000; of beans, peas, 
sorghum, buckwheat and other products, $10,000,- 
000; of fruits, $1,000,000; and of seeds, $500,000; 
making a grand total of products of $134,500,000. 
Our dairymen have a capital invested in their 
business, including land, of $100,000,000. Last 
year they produced 45,000,000 pounds of cheese 
and 43,000,000 pounds of butter, valued at $11,- 
000,000. Add to this the milk not included in 
butter and cheese, and the entire dairy product 
reached $21,000,000. This statement shows the 
wonderful progress we are making in this indus- 
try — a certain indication of prosperity. Those 
of our farmers who have abandoned raising grain 
for market and gone into dairying have bettered 
their condition and the soil of their farms, worn 
and weakened by years of wheat raising, is every 
day gaining in fertility. I would not advise that 
all farmers engage in dairying. To enjoy a full 



RETIRES TO PRIVATE LIFE. 435 

degree of prosperity we must have a diversity of 
industries. The selection of profitable breeds for 
beef and cattle must not be neglected. The im- 
provement of all kinds of farm stock should be a 
constant study by the farmer who hopes to be suc- 
cessful in his calling. 

"I came near forgetting one important product 
of Wisconsin — that of poultry. Just think of it; 
the product alone amounts to nearly ten millions 
of dollars annually. The peaceful, unobtrusive 
hen has finally, for the first time after all the 
years of the existence of our country, had her 
cause championed on the floors of the national 
congress, and a demand made that her product 
should be protected, and this was done by a Wis- 
consin man — Hon. liichard Guenther. The mod- 
est hen, heretofore considered an insignificant 
quantity in our resources, has come to the front; 
her star is in the ascendancy, and it is perfectly 
safe to say that her sun (son) will never set. 
(Laughter.) Sixteen million acres are owned by 
our farmers, half of which are cultivated and the 
other half is grass land and unimproved, all val- 
ued at $350,000,000. The stock on the farms rep- 
resents a value of $90,000,000 and the farm imple- 
ments a value of $20,000,000, making a capital in- 
vested of $460,000,000, yielding a product of $134,- 
000,000. In addition to the capital invested to 
produce this result, the labor of 350,000 people is 
required. 



436 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

"More than half the population of Wisconsin 
live on farms. This great army of people repre- 
sent the sober, conservative element of the State. 
In their quiet and peaceful homes and communi- 
ties riots and mobs are unknown. They are on 
the side of law, order and morality. When the 
flag of their country was fired on, the boys from 
the farm quietly stepped from the plow to the 
ranks, and when the great conflict was over and 
the Union again restored, they quietly returned 
to the plow and resumed their peaceful vocations. 
The transition was complete — from the quiet 
farm home to the battlefield and thence to the 
farm again — all but those whose patriotic lives 
were sacrificed for their country. 

"Hardly a farm home in this broad country but 
mourned the loss of a dear one who gave up his 
life that his country might live. Our children 
should be educated to a full appreciation of the 
blessings bestowed upon us as a nation by the 
sacrifices of the Union army, comprised in large 
part by the boys who were reared on the farm, 
and who received their lessons in patriotism in 
the quiet farm home." 



ILLNESS AND DEATH. 437 



CHAPTER XLV. 

ILLNESS AND DEATH. 

In the fall of 1893, General Rusk was invited 
by some large land owners to inspect and report 
upon an eighty thousand acre tract of land in the 
Kankakee Valley in Illinois, which they were 
about to sell to a European colony. During his 
tour of inspection of this land he contracted ma- 
laria and on his return to Chicago consulted a 
physician as to his trouble. He returned home 
slightly indisposed but paid little attention to his 
trouble. A few weeks afterwards he was stricken 
with inflammation of the prostate glands and con- 
fined to his bed. This, added to his original afflic- 
tion, made him a great sufferer and after an ill- 
ness of a few weeks the attending physicians de- 
cided, upon the advice of Dr. Hamilton, ex-Sur- 
geon General of the United States Marine Corps, 
that a surgical operation was necessary. This 
operation appeared to be successful but the pa- 
tient constantly suffered the most intense pain. 

On the evening of the twentieth of November, 
General Rusk for the first time believed that he 



438 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

would recover from his illness. Prior to this he 
had been very despondent and had little hope of 
ever rising from his bed. On the evening in ques- 
tion he dismissed the writer from his bedside with 
the remark that he believed his physicians had 
pulled him over the rocky road and that he was 
going to get well. 

Throughout the length and breadth of the coun- 
try he had loved and served so well the press des- 
patches reporting Gen. Kusk's condition from day 
to day were eagerly read and sympathetically 
commented upon. The anxiety felt by his friend, 
Gen. Harrison, is shown in the following letter: 

674 North Delaware Street, 
Indianapolis, Ind., Sunday, November 20, 1893. 
My Dear Friend: 

I have been so anxious about you during your 
illness. The newspapers always make such things 
worse than they are, but Mrs. McKee and I have 
watched them daily for some news of you, and 
when they failed I have telegraphed Mrs. Eusk 
for information. Her answer of yesterday and 
the press news of this morning seem to encourage 
the hope that you have passed the crisis, and will 
now gain strength and be soon well again. 

And now if I can help in any way, body or 
spirit, let me know, and I will put everything 
aside and go to you, for I do very much value and 
cherish you as a friend, and am very grateful for 



ILLNESS AND DEATH. 439 

your manly and loyal support, never wanting, 
and always so unselfish. 

God bless you, and give you many years and 
every good thing that heart and soul can wish. 
Most sincerely your friend, 

Benjamin Harrison. 

At the last General Rusk's death was entirely 
unexpected by his family and by the attending 
physicians, Dr. William A. Gott, of Viroqua, who 
was for three years surgeon of the General's regi- 
ment, and Dr. J. K. Schreiner, of Westby. The 
improvement in the patient's condition which be- 
gan on the preceding Friday (the 17th) had been 
steadily maintained up to within fifteen minutes 
of the time of his death, which occurred at 7:45 
o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, November 21. 
Indeed, so marked had been this improvement 
that the general himself, who had been despond- 
ent ever since he had taken to his bed, had for the 
first time expressed to his family and his friends 
confidence in his recovery, and at 9 o'clock on the 
evening before the writer had been authorized by 
the physicians to give to the press a bulletin stat- 
ing that the crisis had been passed and that the 
sufferer was out of danger, a bulletin received 
with thanksgiving in all parts of the land. But 
his time had come. His ever faithful daughter, 
Miss Mary E. Rusk, watching at the bedside, no- 
ticed with alarm a sudden change in her father's 



440 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

appearance, and immediately summoned Dr. Gott, 
who was resting in a room below. In a moment 
the doctor was again with his patient, and saw 
that he was sinking. He quickly notified the 
General's devoted wife, his son Blaine and his 
daughter, Mrs. Craig, who at once joined Miss 
Mary in the sick-room. The physician applied in 
turn all the restoratives at his command, but his 
efforts were of no avail. Jeremiah Rusk, only 
able to articulate the words, "I am dying — I am 
dying," passed away, seemingly without pain. 

General Rusk had been a resident of Viroqua 
for forty years. His private life during that time 
had been as an open book to his neighbors and 
friends. The record of the kindly deeds done by 
him in that forty years in the community were 
sufficient of themselves to endear him for all time 
to come to those who were privileged to know 
him. There are but very few of the older in- 
habitants of the community who have not at 
some time or other received kindness at his hands. 
His home life during the portion of that forty 
years which had been spent in Viroqua had been 
of the purest type. In his family circle he had 
been a perfect father and a kind husband and at 
all times had been the idol of his household. 

He had been, as the Chicago Tribune said, "the 
nation's Uncle Jerry," and the country mourned 
his loss. Sectional and party lines were for the 
time obliterated, and telegrams and letters of 



ILLNESS AND DEA Til. 441 

heartfelt condolence were received by the sorrow- 
ing family from every hand. If more conspicu- 
ous throughout Wisconsin and in the city of 
Washington, the general grief, widespread, was 
none the less deep in other places where the strik- 
ing personality of the man as well as the wisely 
and bravely ordered deeds of the officer were fa- 
miliarly known. At Madison and Milwaukee, in 
Wisconsin, and at the Department of Agriculture, 
in Washington, the flags were lowered to half- 
mast in his honor. Many societies of which he 
was a member, and many others to whose inter- 
ests he had been especially friendly, met to pass 
resolutions in recognition of his worth and of 
their own regret at his departure from the field 
of earthly endeavor. 



442 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 



CHAPTER XLVI. 

THE FUNERAL. 

General Rusk's funeral occurred on Friday, 
November 24th, 1S93. On Thursday afternoon, 
November 23d, after a brief private family serv- 
ice at the home, conducted by Rev. G. W. Nuzum, 
the remains were removed from the pleasant home 
where so much of happiness had been experi- 
enced, and in charge of a delegation of intimate 
friends and brother Knights Templar, were borne 
to the Methodist church where they lay in state 
till the closing services on Friday. A guard of 
honor from Alex. Lowrie G. A. R. Post took 
charge of the remains during the hours that they 
lay in state. An army of school children quickly 
reviewed the familiar features of one whom they 
were always glad to respect in life. Until late 
at night a stream of sorrowing people passed the 
bier. The throng was renewed at an early hour 
Friday morning and continued till the church 
doors were closed shortly after one o'clock. 
Thousands of people from the surrounding coun- 
try took a farewell look at their old friend and 



THE FUNERAL. 443 

neighbor. Those who came on special trains 
were permitted to take a lingering look at his 
features between 12 and 2 o'clock. Many strong- 
men who had been with the general in war or 
in public life gave way to feelings of emotion and 
wept like children when they beheld the familiar 
features and realized that he would be with them 
no more forever. 

The body was clad in a suit of black broadcloth 
and in the left lapel of the coat was fixed the blue 
and red button of the Loyal Legion with the regu- 
lation badge of the Grand Army a little below. 
The left hand, thrown across the chest in appar- 
ently careless ease, clasped a bunch of violets. 
The face was as calm and as peaceful in expres- 
sion as that of a sleeping child. The countenance 
was but slightly wasted by the six weeks of ill- 
ness the General had endured and was surpris- 
ingly natural and life-like. The casket was par- 
tially covered with the folds of a beautiful silk 

flag * 

The interior of the church was heavily and ap- 
propriately draped in black. High up and to the 
rear of the pulpit hung a large portrait of Gen- 
eral Rusk, with an American flag extending en- 
tirely across the wall. The pulpit and casket 
were nearly buried by the floral tributes of 
friends. 

Not one-tenth of those who came from outside 
of Viroqua to attend the obsequies, not to men- 



444 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

tion the members of the various orders, could get 
in. The honorary pall-bearers were: Attorney 
General Miller, Assistant Secretary Willets, of 
the Agricultural department, Senators Angus 
Cameron, Philetus Sawyer, John C. Spooner, Gov- 
ernors Lucius Fairchild and W. D. Hoard, Judge 
Cassoday, General F. C. Winckler, H. C. Payne and 
W. G. Collins; they occupied the front seats of the 
middle section, directly back of the casket. In the 
next two rows sat the members of the family and 
relatives, and ex-President Harrison. Behind 
them were Governor Peck and other state officers. 
On the front row of the middle section were the 
active pall-bearers, all members of General Rusk's 
old regiment — Major W. H. Joslin of Richland 
Center, Dr. M. K. Gage of Sparta, Dr. W. A. Gott 
of Viroqua, Captain C. A. Hunt of Melvina, Cap- 
tain R. J. Whittleton of Harvard, 111., Captain 
John E. Casson of Viroqua, Captain M. E. Leon- 
ard of Sparta, Captain J. B. McCoy of Platte- 
ville, Senator E. I. Kidd of Prairie du Chien and 
Jesse G. Bunell of Richland Center. 

The east section was occupied by the members 
of the Wisconsin consistory of the Loyal legion, 
the Masonic orders (the commandery and blue 
lodge), the G. A. R. and the Odd Fellows in the 
order named. The remaining seats and available 
standing room was filled by the distinguished 
people from various parts of the country and 
those of the citizens who could get in. 



THE FUNERAL. 445 

Rev. Dr. Butler, of Madison, a profound old 
minister of eighty years, a firm friend of General 
Rusk, delivered the funeral discourse, taking as 
his text the seventeenth verse of the forty-eighth 
chapter of Jeremiah : "All ye that are about him 
bemoan him, and all ye that know his name say 
how is the strong staff broken and the beautiful 
rod." Dr. Butler said: 

"All they that are about him bemoan him, and 
all they that know his name say how is the strong 
staff broken and the beautiful rod." This is the 
third time that I have used this text at a public 
funeral. The first time was nearly half a cen- 
tury ago in Vermont at the obsequies of Ransom, 
colonel of a New England regiment, killed at the 
storming of Chepultepec and brought home for 
burial where he and I were associated in a mili- 
tary academy. The next time was in our own 
state capital over the remains of Theodore Read, 
killed in a desperate endeavor, largely successful, 
in Grant's opinion, to stop the escape of General 
Lee. For years there was daily danger that Gen- 
eral Rusk's remains would likewise have been 
brought home. But God saved him then, having 
greater service for him in peace than in war. 
What that service has been you know full well. 
He has rounded the full circle; he has won golden 
opinions from all sorts of people in all walks of 
life; he has been clean in his great office — in all 



446 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

his offices. He had, as becometh old age, honor, 
love, obedience, hosts of friends. 

We love to trace great things to their small be- 
ginnings. I have myself taken no small pains to 
reach the very source of the Jordan. I love to 
trace the great man who has fallen, to his boy- 
hood. Early bereaved of his father and thrown 
upon his own resources, I love to observe his first 
endeavors for making his way in the world. 
Horses seemed to have been the most efficient in- 
strument of his early culture. II is ability to 
manage wild horses was the earliest talent he de- 
veloped — his first stepping stone to success. It 
is noticeable that this was also the experience of 
Alexander the Great of whom the first thing we 
hear is the dexterity in training the wild steed of 
the plain. 

The child is father to the man, and in the sub- 
sequent career of Rusk we behold many repeti- 
tions of his childhood experience. It is a vast 
removal from the seat of a stage driver to that in 
a cabinet, where his influence extends from ocean 
to ocean and from the great Gulf to the unsalted 
seas. As sheriff he had wilder men to tame than 
any horses. So he had gone through the war of 
the rebellion. And during the anarchistic riots 
in Milwaukee those riots he quelled seven years 
ago so effectually that they have known no resur- 
rection. From first to last he has shown him- 



THE FUNERAL. 417 

self not only competent for every position he has 
been called to fill, but equal to every emergency. 
One is inclined to say he should have lived 
longer — he should have died hereafter. Such men 
are few; we need them longer — longer. He still 
lacked seven years of the psalmist's TO. We love 
to imagine what in another score he might have 
achieved — what greater influence for good his 
long experience, his prestige and the hearts of 
the people in his hand might have enabled him to 
exert. Death has blasted our hopes, cast down 
our high imaginations. We behold here the end 
of earth. But is it the end? No — a thousand 
times no! I call it the beginning. No feeling is 
more pervasive among men than that this life is 
the threshold of another. It has been my fortune 
to circle the globe, traveling as far as the sun 
travels, and from the equator, where man casts 
no shadow at noon, to the land of the midnight 
sun, where the night was ever as the day; but I 
found no people who do not by their funeral cere- 
monies and monuments attest their faith in life 
beyond life. The preaching of Paul was "Jesus 
and the resurrection." Christ raised the dead 
and rose himself as a pledge and a proof that He 
shall raise our vile bodies in the likeness of His 
glorious body — not having spot, nor wrinkle, nor 
any such thing. It is an anchor to the soul when 
bereaved to feel that What is sown in weakness 
shall be raised in power; sown a natural body, 



448 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

raised a spiritual body; sown in dishonor, raised 
in honor. Strong is the consolation to feel that 
the friend we bury has gone where he can know 
God better and serve him more effectually than 
belongs to the lot of earth. 

Time would fail me to speak of the manifold 
excellencies in the departed; of the popularity 
that ran after him, but after which he did not 
run; of his honesty — public and private; of his 
temperance — I should say abstinence from his 
youth up. His associates felt that he was so 
good that they would gladly believe him great — 
even greater than he was. He has left this life; 
let us not lose the lesson of his death. Let it 
cause the spiritual, heavenly, eternal and divine 
to predominate in our souls. When we lay down 
this garment of clay in which we have ministered 
here, may it be ours to stand in the host on Mount 
Zion, who ascribe unto Him that sitteth on the 
throne and unto the Lamb, power and riches and 
wisdom and strength and glory and honor and 
blessing — world without end. Amen. 

When the Rev. Butler had finished, the choir 
sang "Lead Me Savior." The Rev. Nuzum made 
a prayer, closing with the Lord's prayer, and the 
Masonic bodies then took charge of the remains. 

It was an imposing procession that escorted the 
remains of General Rusk to their last resting 
place. From the church the procession moved 
north one block, west one block to Main street t 



THE FUNERAL. 449 

thence to the cemetery. The Viroqua cornet band 
led the way and played appropriate funeral 
marches. Then came the Uniformed Knights, 
Wisconsin Consistory and Blue lodge Masons. 
Following these came the carriages containing 
the honorary pall-bearers; then the funeral car 
drawn by four bright bay horses. The carriages 
containing the active pall-bearers, representatives 
of the Loyal legion, the G. A. R. and the Odd Fel- 
lows, preceded the mourners. In the mourners' 
carriages were the members of the immediate 
family and relatives and a few intimate friends 
of the family. The next carriage contained ex- 
President Harrison. Then followed the carriages 
containing distinguished guests from abroad and 
citizens. 

The last act at the grave was the firing of a 
salute over the grave by the soldier comrades of 

the departed. 
29 



450 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 



CHAPTER XLVII. 

DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT — EX SENATOR 
SPOONER'S EULOGY. 

Early in 1895 Alex. Lowrie Post, Grand Army 
of the Republic, of Viroqua, asked permission of 
the family to dedicate with appropriate cere- 
monies the monument erected on the family lot 
to the memory of General Rusk. This permis- 
sion was granted, and upon invitation Senator 
Spooner promised to make the dedicatory speech. 

The monument is of the obelisk order, made of 
Vermont granite, and its entire height is thirty- 
three feet, the shaft being twenty-six feet and the 
base and die seven feet. On the heavy base is 
the family name, "Rusk," in raised letters, and on 
the die block there is cut on the east or front side 
a brief synopsis of the distinguished dead, as fol- 
lows: 

JEREMIAH M'LAIN RUSK. 

BORN JUNE 7th, 1830. 
DIED NOV. 21st, 1893. 

Entered U. S. Vol. Army July, 1S62, as Major 
25th Wis. Infantry. "For gallant and meritorious 
service during the war," and "For conspicuous 
gallantry at the battle of Salkehatchie, S. C, was 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 451 

breveted colonel and brigadier general of the U. S. 
Vols., March, I860." 

Bank comptroller of Wisconsin, 1S66--1S70. 

Member of the 42d, 43d and 44th congresses. 

Governor of Wisconsin, 1882--1889. 

U. S. secretary of agriculture, 1889-1893. 

On the side of the shaft above the die is a 
bronze shield, crossed swords and a pen with the 
motto, "Non sibi sed patriae"— "not for himselt 
but for his country." 

On Memorial Day, May 30th, thousands of peo- 
ple gathered at Viroqua to pay respect to the dis- 
tinguished dead, and to listen to the eloquent 
words of his life-time friend. Rain fell in tor- 
rents but this did not deter the thousands from 
standing in the streets and going to the cemetery 
to look upon the monument to the man they had 
all loved so well. People from all over Wiscon- 
sin attended the exercises which were held within 
the Opera House, the largest building obtainable 
in the city. Beautiful floral tributes were sent 
from all over the State and every indication was 
that the memory of the man whose services had 
been so valuable to his State and his country was 
still kept green. 

Senator's Spooner's oration is as follows: 

There could not be a more fitting thing than 
that on this Memorial Day we should gather from 
every section of our commonwealth around this 






452 JEREMIAH M. R USE. 

marble shaft, placed here by the loved ones of 
his desolate home to mark the last resting place 
of Jeremiah McLain Rusk, and pay special trib- 
ute to his honored memory. 

The heart of Wisconsin is with us here today, 
for he was of all her public men the best beloved. 
Viewed from any standpoint, and subjected to 
any test, his was a wonderful career. Born upon 
a farm in Ohio sixty-five years ago, the death of 
his father put upon him while still a boy in large 
part the responsibilities of a man. Duty to the 
widowed mother, whom he tenderly loved, made 
of him a toiler from the beginning. There was 
little of school for him but the school of hardship. 
He wrought upon the farm, wielding the axe and 
following the furrow. Barrels he made with his 
own hands and transported them to the market. 
He drove a four-in-hand, not the four-in-hand of 
the city park, but the Concord stage of the olden 
time. One might almost say that he had no child- 
hood. But such were the characteristics and fibre 
of the boy that the self-denial and sacrifice which 
were his lot, and the hardships to which he be- 
came inured, were great factors for strength and 
good in his after life. He learned to love the 
country better than the town. Toil gave him 
strength and muscle, a clear eye and a healthy 
brain. Responsibility taught him industry, de- 
veloped in him an indomitable energy, gave him 
in abundance thrift, patience and endurance. He 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 433 

was noted as a young man in all the region 
round for his splendid physique, his great 
strength, his willingness to turn his hand to any 
honorable employment, and his absolute freedom 
from every taint of dissipation. He laid during 
those years, which from the luxurious standpoint 
of this day might be regarded as harsh aud ca- 
lamitous, the strong foundation of vitality, of 
hopefulness, of courage and of self-reliance, upon 
which was builded in after years the splendid 
structure of a great life, which won the admira- 
tion and respect of the whole people. 

He was wont, among his most intimate friends, 
now and again to lament the dearth of early edu- 
cational advantages, but, looking at the man, 
bearing in mind what he made of himself, and 
what he accomplished, it may well be doubted if, 
all things considered, he would have been 
stronger, or wiser, or better, or more successful, 
had the lines of his youth fallen in more pleasant 
places, and had his early life been differently or- 
dered. 

He was but twenty-three when he traveled with 
his wife and two children by wagon, after the 
fashion of the emigrant in those days, from the 
childhood home in Ohio, to pitch his tent on this 
spot, then fairly to be considered the frontier, 
here again to take up the life and labor of the 
farmer. 

So long was he a conspicuous citizen of Wiscon- 



454 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

sin, and so familiar have our people become with 
the incidents of his early life within our borders, 
that it is needless, if indeed it were proper, to re- 
count them. It is enough to say that from the 
outset he was an attractive and popular man. He 
was an excellent farmer; he was an excellent 
tavern-keeper; he was a safe and skillful stage- 
driver; he was an admirable sheriff; he was a 
genial, courteous, kindly gentleman, albeit in 
rough and homely garb; and by these traits he 
won the confidence and affection of this people, 
never in any degree to lose either. 

It was altogether impossible that he should be 
other than a leader, for he was born a leader. 

He served a term in the legislature of 1S62, se- 
curing, be it remembered to his credit, a change 
of the name of this county from "Bad Ax" to 
"Vernon." 

War with all its fury was upon this country. 
Everywhere was heard the music of fife and drum, 
and on every hand were to be seen the rustling- 
flags and the moving bodies of armed men. It 
was not possible that Jeremiah McLain Eusk 
should remain in civil life during a war for the 
preservation of the republic, and we find in 1862 
our Ohio boy and stage driver, now a well-grown, 
resolute, strong man, enlisting in the army of the 
Union and bearing the commission of a major. 
He turned back upon the little home which he 
had builded, upon the farm which he had loved 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 455 

to till, upon the dear ones who had been the com- 
panions of his long journey, the inspiration and 
encouragement of his toil and struggles, and, 
with those who had been his neighbors and 
friends, marched away to the south, solemnly 
vowing that he would never return until rebellion 
had been suppressed and the integrity of the 
Union restored. 

He was a natural soldier; calm yet enthusiastic; 
cautious yet daring; always ready for any duty, 
however disagreeable or dangerous. Many of you 
followed him upon the march, and in the charge, 
and rallied around him on the field of battle, and 
were bound to him by those strong ties of com- 
radeship and love which grow alone out of hard- 
ships borne in common and of dangers faced to- 
gether You will bear witness that he asked no 
man to go save where he led. He commended 
himself to his generals by the fidelity, prompti- 
tude, persistency and bravery with which he dis- 
charged every duty of the soldier. He rose to be 
colonel of his regiment, and marched with Sher- 
man to the sea, being breveted a general for gal- 
lantry on the field of battle. 

It is said that on the second day of the battle 
at Atlanta, he had ridden away, with an orderly, 
from his command, and turning a corner, sud- 
denly found confronting him a Confederate sol- 
dier, with fixed bayonet, and rifle leveled at him 
It was a moment of extreme peril. He looked 






456 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

death in the eye. With an audacity absolutely 
characteristic of him in a time of danger, he thun- 
dered to the Confederate, "You fool, put down 
that gun, or you'll shoot some one." So master- 
ful was the personality of the man, so sudden the 
command , so bewildering and amazing the ef- 
frontery of it, that the soldier instinctively low- 
ered his gun, and the general dashed safely away. 

He was as solicitous for the welfare and com- 
fort of his men as if they had been his children. 
It was no wonder they grew to worship him, not 
only as a commander, but as a comrade. 

He led proudly back to the State of his adop- 
tion and love his decimated regiment with its 
stained and riddled battle-flags, and was once 
more enrolled among the workers of civil life. 

He had in his absence attended another school, 
and graduated from it with honor — the school of 
danger, in which death lurked on every side, 
where his faculties were hourly sharpened, and 
his natural alertness of mind intensified, for upon 
the strict, prompt and wise exercise of executive 
duty life and safety and success vitally depended. 
This experience to him was rich in discipline and 
education. It aided in the essential development 
of the man, and he came out of the war and its 
dangers and vicissitudes stronger, abler, more 
self-reliant and self-contained, and not less pure 
in mind and unstained in personal character than 
when he went from his home to the field of battle. 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 457 

He was elected Bank Comptroller of the State, 
and in that office served the people two terms 
with ability and consequent credit. 

Chosen, in the largest and most populous dis- 
trict of the State, to be a Member of Congress, he 
was twice reelected. He made no speeches, but 
he made many friends. There was never one 
among his large constituency who called in vain 
upon him for any honorable service. He was 
prompt in the discharge of every duty, constant 
in his attendance upon the sessions, and intelli- 
gent and industrious in the important but weari- 
some work of the committee room. He grew from 
the outset in influence, and the strong men of the 
house, Mr. Blaine, Mr. Garfield, Mr. Dawes and 
others, on both sides, were drawn to him by his 
many manly traits, by his intelligence, his gener- 
osity, his sincerity and patriotism. 

In the last congress of which he was a member 
he served as chairman of the committee on In- 
valid Pensions, and you need not be told that this 
labor of love for the comrades of his army life he 
performed with the utmost fidelity and persever- 
ance. It was mainly through his efforts that the 
law giving a reasonable pension to those who had 
lost an arm or a leg in the service was enacted, 
and there were thousands of homes in the midst 
of the people which were made happy and com- 
fortable through his labors, and in the precincts 



458 JEREMIAH M. R USE. 

of which he was revered as a deliverer of old com- 
rades from the pain of helplessness and the pangs 
of poverty. 

In a little time he was nominated by a conven- 
tion of his party for Governor, and elected to that 
high office, and of him alone in the history of our 
State can it be said that he served seven continu- 
ous years as Governor. It may safely be declared 
that, such had been his discipline in responsibil- 
ity, so developed had he been by the struggles of 
his youth and manhood, by his experience as a 
soldier, as Bank Comptroller, and as a Member 
of Congress, that no man who ever served this 
people as its chief executive brought to the dis- 
charge of that function a higher purpose to serve 
them well, a keener judgment, a finer tact, or 
more of dignity, integrity, and affability, than did 
Jeremiah M. Rusk. There has not been, nor will 
there be, an administration in Wisconsin either 
possessing or deserving more of popular approval 
and confidence than did his. He familiarized 
himself with every detail of state affairs; he in- 
troduced economies; he reformed abuses, and his 
appointments were of singular excellence. His an- 
nual messages were clear, practical, courageous 
and business-like. He guarded with jealous care 
every public interest, kept in constant touch with 
the people, scanned with keen and critical eye all 
legislation presented for his approval, and used 
unsparingly the power of veto whenever in his 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 459 

judgment the public interest demanded it, and no 
bill was ever passed by either house over his veto. 

In 1SS6 he was confronted by a situation which 
brought out into the clear light of day, in the 
presence of all the people, not only of this State 
but of the country, his fidelity to duty and his 
courage to discharge it. There had come among 
us, and into our sister State of Illinois, insidious 
and dangerous forces of anarchy and socialism, 
plotters against organized society, men who cared 
for no flag but the red flag of communism, who 
recognized no rights of property, and whose phi- 
losophy was that by force those who had some- 
thing should be compelled to divide with those 
who had nothing. In Chicago it had culminated 
in the Haymarket slaughter, where the streets 
had run red with blood, and law and order were 
defied. 

From the metropolis of Wisconsin came to Gov- 
ernor Rusk appeal for assistance in preserving 
the peace and protecting property. He was at 
the time a candidate for reelection to the office 
of Governor. He said to an intimate friend, be- 
fore starting for Milwaukee: "I have sworn to 
take care that the laws are faithfully executed. 
I will maintain order in Wisconsin, and I will 
protect property rights, if I have to shoot some- 
body, and if I must do that I suppose at the same 
time I shall shoot to pieces my political future." 
He was ambitious. He had good warrant to be 



4C0 JEREMIA II M. E USK. 

ambitious. A man without honorable ambition 
is of little worth. Without ambition in the indi- 
vidual members of society there would have been 
and would be little of progress in the human race. 

But he had no ear save for the call of duty. He 
sought no avenue of escape from responsibility. 
He took no account of personal ambition, or of 
his own future. He made no appeals for compro- 
mise to the mob. He saw only that it was his 
sworn duty to enforce the law and to protect 
property, and this he promptly did, with the 
strong arm of military power, and at the cost of 
human life. 

There came up from every class of our law- 
abiding citizens throughout the Union, and most 
of our citizens are law-abiding, without regard to 
party, as with a single voice, a message to him, 
"Thank God, Wisconsin has a Governor who is a 
man who thinks in the hour of peril of duty, not 
of politics; who has the clear eye to discern that 
there is no safety to the people, of whatever class, 
save in the enforcement of law and in protection 
from violence." He said to me shortly after, "I 
hope no such duty will ever be put upon me again. 
I saw enough of bloodshed on the field of battle 
to make me value more than ever human life, and 
1 felt it to be a dreadful thing to be obliged to 
turn the guns of a citizen soldiery against our 
citizens; but it was my duty; I was sworn to per- 
form it, and I kept my oath." 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 461 

You who were his friends and his neighbors, 
who knew the tenderness of his heart, the quick 
sympathy of the man for suffering and sorrow in 
any form, can well understand that public ap- 
plause for his performance of duty was largely 
robbed of its sweetness by the pain of his knowl- 
edge that it had caused the shedding of blood. 

It is only within the truth to say of him that 
the courage and promptitude with which he met 
that exigency, by its example to the executives 
of other cities and States, by the popular expres- 
sion of approval which his conduct evoked, as 
well as by the object lesson which it afforded, had 
much to do with driving socialism and anarchy, 
like scourged and frightened reptiles, out from 
the midst of our people. 

He w T as triumphantly reelected, and in his first 
annual message thereafter, recurring to the trou- 
bles at Milwaukee, he said: 

"With those agrarian and socialistic theories of 
fanciful society that deny the right of private 
property, or of each individual to full protection 
in the enjoyment and control of all his lawful 
earnings, whether obtained by his own labor or 
by contract, we can have no sympathy. They are 
as un-American as monarchy and as treasonable 
as secession. They contemplate the destruction 
of both justice and liberty, and would accomplish 
the destruction of both if their application to ex- 
isting society were seriously attempted. We are 



462 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

not prepared, as American citizens, to even con- 
sider a change in our form of government. Re- 
publican institutions and individual liberty go 
band in band, and must be and will be loyally 
maintained." 

This is the language of patriotism. 

He was a genuine friend of labor, for he himself 
had been a laborer. None knew better than he 
what it meant to earn daily bread by daily toil. 
He would have resisted with all the strength of 
his character and all the power of his office any 
invasion of the rights of labor, and, as he was a 
strong, just, brave man, he would not suffer from 
any source an invasion of the rights of person or 
of property. With the instinct and comprehen- 
sion of the real statesman, he saw that the per- 
manence of society, with its wealth of blessing 
and benefit to the human race, was absolutely de- 
pendent upon the firm and fearless enforcement 
of wise and just laws, and that the moment the 
law fails, through the weakness of executives, or 
through overwhelming obstruction by force, to be 
efficient for the protection of the rights of prop- 
erty and of person, that moment government is 
gone and anarchy installed in its place. 

He had given unmistakable evidence during a 
prior term of service as Governor, when a large 
body of men were, by the failure of employers, 
thrown suddenly out of employment in mid- 
winter, of the vigor and firmness with which he 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 463 

would take care of the rights of labor. He had 
said, by way of indignant answer to a proposi- 
tion that he send troops to quell a threatened out- 
break: "These men need bread, not bayonets," 
and he had devised prompt and efficient measures 
to secure to them both justice and relief. 

When a partially constructed wing of the Capi- 
tol had fallen, carrying death and injury to so 
many who had labored upon it, he waited for no 
legislative authority, or appropriation of money 
in form of law, but promptly expended, upon his 
own responsibility, the moneys requisite to pro- 
vide for their comfort, trusting to the generosity 
and fairness of the people to approve of what he 
had done in the interest of humanity, but deter- 
mined, nevertheless, if not approved by the legis- 
lature, to pay it all out of his own scant purse. 

He was ready with a solution for every diffi- 
culty, prepared for wise action in every emer- 
gency, ana there was but one thing in the world 
which he dared not do, and that was to do wrong. 
So strongly intrenched had he become in he 
affections and confidence of his party that at the 
National Eepublican Convention of ^ "- 
sin presented his name for nomination to the pres 

W When he retired from the office of Governor he 
was invited by President Harrison *»«*«£ 
Cabinet as Secretary of Agriculture. He had de 
£ea to be Secretary of War. It was a pardon- 



464 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

able ambition that this man, who had served with 
distinction as a volunteer soldier, should aspire 
to be, under the President, in practical command 
of the military forces of the United States. A 
complication prevented the gratification of his 
aspiration, but it was to the day of his death a 
satisfaction to him that instead of being made 
Secretary of War he had been appointed Secre- 
tary of Agriculture, for the reason, as he put it, 
that it gave him "better opportunity to serve the 
people, and especially the interests of the farmer." 

This was a new department, then recently cre- 
ated, and barely organized at the time he was en- 
trusted with the responsibility of its conduct. 
Standing here beside his grave I do not hesitate 
to avow my conviction that there was none in the 
United States so well equipped in every way for 
the wise and serviceable administration of that 
department as our dead friend. 

During all the years of his public service he 
had maintained his farm, keeping control of it, 
personally directing its operation. 

He believed, and lost no opportunity to declare, 
that agriculture was in the last analysis the most 
potential of all factors in the prosperity of our na- 
tion, and that upon its development and success 
depended in largest degree the happiness, inde- 
pendence and comfort of our people. 

He loved the farm. There was no picture so 
beautiful to his sight as a field of waving, ripen- 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 465 

ing grain. He understood thoroughly the wants 
of the farmers of the country, as a class, the vicis- 
situdes of their vocation, and the dangers of com- 
petition which threatened them. 

It was his ambition to make of the new depart- 
ment a great department, to make it of practical 
utility to the farmer, to bring it and to keep it in 
touch with the agriculturists of the country, and 
to aid, in an intelligent and laborious way, in di- 
versifying agriculture, and in benefiting every 
phase of that great industry. 

His success as a cabinet officer is known and 
acknowledged of all men, never to be forgotten, 
and justly made him illustrious. He inaugurated, 
and was largely instrumental in securing, the en- 
actment of the meat inspection legislation of con- 
gress. He administered it with superb ability, 
and history will accord to him a large measure of 
credit for securing the removal by other govern- 
ments of the restrictions which had so long ex- 
isted upon the importation of American meat 
products. 

He sought industriously to stimulate the cul- 
ture of the beet for sugar. He gave unwearying 
attention to the protection and development of 
the great dairy interests of the United States. He 
sought steadily and successively to improve and 
render of growing value the Weather Bureau, in 
the interest of the farmer and of general com- 
30 



466 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

inerce. He sent agents abroad to introduce 
American farm products into other countries, to 
popularize the Indian corn, and generally he 
wrought in that great department with the con- 
summate ability and energy of a master. While 
not a scientific man himself, he knew as well as 
any man the value of science and scientific re- 
search and investigation in aid of agriculture. 
Not an insect appeared anywhere in the United 
States, to thwart the labor of the farmer and 
bring loss and disappointment into his home, but 
it was made by his direction the subject of in- 
stant investigation and earnest effort to secure 
some means of protection. 

He brought his department into close relations 
with the various agricultural colleges and experi- 
mental stations, and caused to be prepared and 
distributed throughout the land publications of 
conceded value and of the utmost importance. 

His energy and industry were given without 
stint to the work he had in hand. He gave no 
heed to his own comfort, but devoted himself with 
an enthusiasm and assiduity which knew no 
abatement to the development and upbuilding of 
that department. He was one of the few men 
who can devise and carry forward large policies, 
and at the same time give attention to almost in- 
finite details. While retaining the general direc- 
tion of the practical workings of his department, 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 467 

he surrounded himself with able meu and allotted 
to each the duties for which he was especially 
fitted. 

And he had but begun. In his last annual re- 
port to the President he said, in explanation of 
the purpose which had governed him: 

"During my administration as Secretary my en- 
deavor has been to gather together all that was 
available for the future work of the department, 
to reorganize, rearrange, fit and combine the 
several branches of the work, adding thereto all 
that seemed necessary to lay a broad and lasting- 
foundation for the ultimate carrying out of plans 
which I have kept constantly in my mind in per- 
forming the work assigned to me. If in the future 
my humble share of credit in the history of the 
department should be that I had been instru- 
mental in laying a broad and lasting foundation 
for a magnificent superstructure of which every 
American farmer, and, I may say, every Ameri- 
can citizen, will feel proud, I shall be more than 
compensated for my labors during the past few 
years." 

The last time I ever saw him alive was after he 
had retired to private life, and when he was on 
his way to attend an army reunion at Indian- 
apolis. He said to me that, aside from the pain 
of parting with the President, for whom he had 
great affection, and with his associates, the only 
regret he had that he could not continue another 



468 JEREMIAH M. B USE. 

term in that laborious position was that he had 
left so many plans but partly worked out, and 
therefore had fallen so far short, notwithstanding 
all that had been accomplished, of what he had 
hoped to do for the benefit of the American 
farmer, and resultant advantage to the Ameri- 
can people. 

Who will say that his was not a marvelous ca- 
reer? It was a long, eventful and toilsome jour- 
ney from the driver's seat of the Concord stage, 
to a seat in the cabinet at the capital of this great 
republic. But he sturdily pursued it without 
wavering. He fought his way along it, overcom- 
ing every obstruction in his pathway by sheer 
force of character, energy and courage, and by an 
integrity of purpose and of conduct that never 
was open to impeachment. 

If I were asked, analyzing his character and 
career, to indicate the strongest element in it, I 
think I should be compelled to say that it was his 
devotion to duty. This was fundamental. When 
he lay upon his death-bed he could say without 
reservation of every period of his life, "I saw my 
duty —and I did it." W T hat mortal man could say 
more than this? What more than this could be 
reasonably demanded of any life. The call of 
duty to him was, in every relation of life, an in- 
spiration. It was as "a silver clarion, wooing him 
to some high festival." If it summoned him 
along a pathway which led to death, he was pre- 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 469 

pared, with cheerful heart, and dauntless cour- 
age, to travel it to the end. In truth he did not 
know how to shirk a duty. 

He possessed in high degree the elements of 
broad, strong statesmanship. In political sa- 
gacity he was without a superior. He knew, as 
by intuition, the people, and the wants and wishes 
of the people. lie was one of the people, and he 
lived very near to the popular heart. He was in- 
capable of descending to demagogy. 

He had, moreover, extraordinary executive 
force and administrative capacity. His knowl- 
edge of men was profound, and his judgment of 
men almost unerring. 

Eobust, simple and manly was his character. 
One who watched his rise out of humble begin- 
nings, from station to station, higher and higher, 
could not fail to perceive that added responsibil- 
ities and increased honors wrought no change in 
his demeanor. He never allowed the false im- 
pression to gain lodgment in his mind, which 
takes strong hold of some men, that political suc- 
cess, as through some magic, transformed him, 
and that because there had been given to him 
added evidence of public approval he was wiser 
the day after than he had been the day before. 

As new responsibilities came from time to time 
into his life, while in no wise shrinking from 
them, or apparently distrusting his ability to 



470 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

grapple with them, he seemed ever more and 
more anxious to be right. 

He possessed an inexhaustible wealth of saving 
common sense. He was a good listener. He 
could make up his mind, when the emergency de- 
manded prompt judgment, instantly, and his in- 
tuition, if such it may be called, was rarely ever 
at fault. If, however, he were confronted with a 
situation complicated in its nature, he listened 
patiently and gladly to advice, received it cour- 
teously and considered it fairly. If in the end it 
accorded with his own judgment he adopted it; 
if not, he rejected it. He was without obstinacy 
of opinion, notwithstanding his self-reliance, but 
held himself open to conviction, and he could 
change his mind. He was large enough and 
strong enough to reverse a former judgment, if 
subsequent reflection satisfied him of error. He 
seemed to have no fear, as weak men have, of the 
taunt of inconsistency, and no man fit for the dis- 
charge of important public duties has any dread 
of such a taunt. 

It has been beautifully and truthfully said by 
Mr. Lowell: 

"The imputation of inconsistency is one to 
which every sound politician and every honest 
thinker must sooner or later subject himself. The 
foolish and the dead alone never change their 
opinion. The course of a great statesman resem- 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 471 

bles that of navigable rivers, avoiding immovable 
obstacles with noble bends of concession, seeking 
the broad levels of opinion on which men soonest 
settle and longest dwell, following and marking 
the almost imperceptible slopes of national tend- 
ency, yet always aiming at direct advances, al- 
ways recruited from sources nearer heaven, and 
sometimes bursting open paths of progress and 
fruitful human commerce through what seem the 
eternal barriers of both. It is loyalty to great 
ends, even though forced to combine the small 
and opposing motives of selfish men to accom- 
plish them. It is the anchored cling to solid prin- 
ciples of duty and action which knows how to 
swing with the tide, but is never carried away by 
it that we demand in public men, and not ob- 
stinacy in prejudice, sameness of policy, or a con- 
scientious persistency in what is impracticable. 
For the impracticable, however theoretically en- 
ticing, is always politically unwise, sound states- 
manship being the application of that prudence 
to the public business which is the safest guide 
in that of private men." 

This is fair portraiture of Jeremiah M. Rusk. 
Doubtless he made in his long public career 
some mistakes. It were quite possible that it 
should be otherwise, but I have diligently 
searched mv memory and the record of his life 
for some of them, and I am not able to point them 
out It is certain that he never approved a bill, 



472 JEREMIAH M. B USE. 

proclaimed a policy, or entered upon a line of con- 
duct, which lost him or his party the confidence 
of the people, or which cost him or his party any 
loss of strength. There was abiding faith always 
in the safety of his political leadership. 

It is impossible to put a limit upon his capacity. 
Certainly he had not reached it. He grew in men- 
tal strength and perception as the demands upon 
him increased. One could not in his presence fail 
to be impressed with the feeling that there was 
in him a wealth of undiscovered mental resources, 
of reserve power, equal to any emergency. It has 
been said by some one that "The education of cir- 
cumstance is superior to that of tuition." Be that 
true or false, we know that our dead friend was 
an apt pupil in the school of life. He never failed 
in meeting promptly and wisely any demand upon 
his ability. 

Of noble presence, impetuous, genial and 
kindly, he was singularly winning in his manner. 
Always plain, simple and dignified, without ef- 
fusiveness or affectation, there was in him a nat- 
ural grace, an inborn courtesy, which drew and 
attached people to him. Wise, witty, quick as a 
flash in repartee, of keen sense of humor, enjoy- 
ing a good anecdote, and with an inexhaustible 
fund of his own, he was a delightful companion 
in any circle. To the end of his life, even amid 
the engrossing cares of his public service, he en- 
joyed with the ardor of a boy all athletic sports. 



^* «* j13pn)I^B^b?™*'^I^H ^K' 






lJU -it:;.; 


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^^^""- -i :'j| 



RUSK MONUMENT. 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 473 

Time covered his bead with "the snow which 
never melts," and brought sorrow into his life, 
but it could not bring hardness into his warm 
and generous heart. It remained as young, as 
fresh and as fragrant as the spring flowers of his 
country home. Temptation fled from him. The 
weaknesses and follies of fashion never touched 
him. He could not become blase. He was year 
in and year out, from first to last, 

" Walking his round of duty 
Serenely day by day, 
With the strong man's hand of labor 
And childhood's heart of play." 

His presence was a delight to children, and it 
gave him undisguised pleasure to make them 
happy. Instinctively they loved and trusted him. 
This man, without the learning and polish of the 
schools, could with easy grace and tact, with un- 
erring judgment and courage, manage the con- 
cerns of a state or a nation, put down with strong- 
hand at the cannon's mouth turbulence and riot, 
lead a charge with impetuous fury into the very 
hell of battle, grow as interested as a boy in a 
game of base ball, or win in a moment by his gen- 
tleness the love and trust of a little child. It was 
a rare and happy combination of elements which 
make such a manhood as this. 

How well he loved to serve another! He used 
the power which the people gave him, whether in- 
volving the distribution of patronage or other- 



474 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 

wise, not as if it belonged to him, but as if he held 
it in trust for the public. He said "yes" to oue 
who sought his favor in a manner to give pleas- 
ure never to be forgotten; he would say "no," 
when duty required it, with a manner so charm- 
ing that it carried no sting with it, and left no 
bitter memory behind it. 

He never shut himself away from the public, 
but was easily accessible to every one who had 
occasion to seek his presence; and his courtesy 
was so genuine, so natural and so uniform that I 
believe no man ever went out of his presence with 
an unkind feeling toward him in his heart. 

He was of too large a mold, in both physical 
and mental stature, to be vindictive or wanting 
in magnanimity. It was easy sometimes to pick 
a quarrel with him; it was always easy to "make 
it up." He would always meet any worthy man 
at least half way. And it may truthfully be said 
of him that no man, of all the public men of our 
day, did more kindly acts in a political way for 
friends, or remembered longer or more gratefully 
a service, than he did. 

Absolutely dauntless in physical and moral 
courage, with a will of iron to do what he thought 
was right, and to resist importunity, he was yet 
as tender as a woman. 

" The bravest are the tenderest, 
The loving are the daring." 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 475 

Through the strong and rugged fibre which 
made the warp and woof of his manhood there 
ran in rich profusion the golden threads of sym- 
pathy and tenderness. 

He never wearied of helping his comrades of 
the war. He could not pass a ragged, sobbing 
child upon the city streets without stopping to 
find if he could be in any way helpful. Nor could 
he see without hot anger and rebuke cruelty or 
unkindness to any living thing. Truly he was a 
"knight without fear and without reproach." 

His soul was full of chivalry and of loyalty. 
There was something in his face, in the glance of 
his eye, in the stalwart manliness of his physical 
presence, which invited confidence. All men ir- 
resistibly trusted him. It has been truthfully 
and beautifully written of him, by the distin- 
guished statesman who presided over the cabinet 
of which he was a member: 

"I have never known a man that I would choose 
before him to stand by and with me in any des- 
perate strait. His courage rose as the struggle 
became desperate. It was not possible for him 
to desert a post or a friend. You had no need to 
look over your shoulder when Jerry Rusk stood 
between you and those who assailed you from the 
rear. His loyalty was as pure as gold and as stiff 
as a steel column. These traits were proved 
while he was in the cabinet. Neither assault nor 



476 J ERE MI All M. BUSK. 

temptation could lead him to seek a personal ad- 
vantage at the cost of what his high sense of honor 
deemed to be loyalty to another. * * * He 
was patriotic through and through, and an Amer- 
ican before all else. When any question affecting 
American interests or national dignity or honor 
were under discussion, he was an advocate of vig- 
orous measures. * * * I trusted him fully, 
and he was true." 

With him patriotism was a passion. He loved 
the flag with an idolatrous love. To him wher- 
ever it floated it was eloquent. It was the speak- 
ing emblem of liberty and good government. He 
trusted no man who did not love it. 

He could not be a bigot, and he was as free from 
narrow prejudice as any man could be. He wel- 
comed, with sincere and generous hospitality, 
men from every land to ours, of whatever race or 
religion, asking of them only in return for what 
he deemed the great boon of American citizen- 
ship, that they should love our flag, cherish our 
institutions, and be true and faithful in their al- 
legiance to our government. 

What a man was this, my fellow citizens, so 
rugged, so strong, so fearless, so honest, so pa- 
triotic, so chivalrous! We shall not see his like 
again. He was the "last of the Mohicans." 

Every state has its strong and able and patri- 
otic men in the public service. The country will 
not be wanting in them in the future, but Jere- 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 477 

miah M. Rusk was of a type, in this day, unique 
and picturesque. He was of the Lincoln and 
Jackson type, born of the environment of the 
pioneer, coming out from among what Mr. Lin- 
coln was wont to call the plain people, self-taught, 
masterful, genuine, accomplishing so much for 
the public good without adventitious aids. 

The frontier is gone, the school-house is every- 
where; the father of today of whatever condition 
can educate his children. The pioneer is gone 
with the frontier, and the circumstances out of 
which grew the character of Rusk are not likely 
to arise again. 

Had it been God's will to spare him in health 
and strength to us yet longer, I am firm in the be- 
lief that he would have been borne by the people 
to the most exalted position within their gift. His 
entire adequacy for the discharge of its duties I 
do not in the least degree distrust. 

That the people loved and trusted him was well 
attested by the universality of the sorrow which 
his untimely death called forth, and by the warm 
and earnest words of eulogy which the press from 
ocean to ocean published of him. Indeed the 
press built for him with pen and type a monu- 
ment of loving words and praise very rare for its 
solidity and beauty. 

He was a devout believer in the Christian re- 
ligion and when the time came for him to die, 
W hen the ambition and cares of life had gone from 



478 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 

him, there came into his heart "that peace which 
passeth understanding." 

But one thought troubled him at the last. 
Shortly before he died he called to his side a near 
and dear friend who had been the companion and 
confidant of much of his public life, and said to 
him: "Do you know if I have wronged any one?" 
"No, General, and I do not believe you ever 
wronged any one," was the reply. After a mo- 
ment he said: "I expect I have, but God knows 
I never intended to wrong any human being." 

No, dear, brave, chivalrous, generous "Uncle 
Jerry," you never wronged any one! You scat- 
tered with lavish and prodigal hand all along the 
journey, from the plain of your humble begin- 
ning to the mountain top upon which you died, 
kind words and kind acts which, now that you 
are gone, bear a rich fruitage of gratitude and 
love. 

I have not spoken of his faults. He honored 
me through many years with his friendship, and 
my heart would not suffer me to speak a word of 
false or fulsome eulogy over his grave; but in 
truth so overshadowed by great qualities and vir- 
tues were his few and trifling faults, that they 
were, even in the conflicts of his life-time, quite 
unnoticed or forgotten of men. They in no wise 
marred the symmetry of his character. 

What is said of him here will be little read and 
The sweet flowers which you 



DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT. 479 

strew upon his grave will wither before the sun- 
set, and the night winds will bear away their 
fragrance, but the memory of Jeremiah M. Rusk 
will forever blossom in the hearts of men, illu- 
mined by the nobility and beauty of his great life 
and redolent of a fragrance which will not perish. 



460 JEREMIAH M. B USK. 



CHAPTER XLVIII. 

GENERAL RUSK'S FAMILY. 

The surviving members of General Rusk's fam- 
ily are, his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth M. Rusk (formerly 
Miss Elizabeth M. Johnson, to whom he was mar- 
ried in December, 1856), Mrs. Charity R. Craig of 
Viroqua, Col. Lycurgus J. Rusk of Chippewa Falls, 
Miss Mary E. Rusk and Blaine D. Rusk of Viro- 
qua, the two latter the result of his last marriage. 
Two other children were also the fruit of this last 
union, Miss Ida Rusk, who died in 1S85, and 
Alonzo, a son who died in infancy. 

General Rusk's home life was a very attractive 
one, and he was the idolized center of it. Dur- 
ing his incumbency of the Executive chair of 
Wisconsin, the Governor's residence was socially 
the most popular home in the city of Madison. 
A cordial hospitality and hearty greeting was ex- 
tended to every one who entered its doors. The 
family was sorely stricken in 1885 by the death 
of Miss Ida, who had been a social leader at the 
capital. 

Daring their residence in Washington, the 



GEN. BUSK'S FAMILY. 481 

Rusk home, No. 1330 Massachusetts Avenue, was 
always crowded on reception days, and none of 
the cabinet families were in receipt of more 
callers than that of the Secretary of Agriculture. 
Mrs. Rusk's many womanly graces, and the quiet, 
easy welcome accorded to all who came, by her 
and Miss Mary, were so well known, that strangers 
visiting the capital never neglected the oppor- 
tunity to call at the Rusk home. 

Upon the General's retirement from the cab- 
inet, he and his estimable wife well illustrated 
the simplicity and charm of their characters 
by returning to their old home, and taking up 
the thread of life where they had dropped it 
twenty-five years before. The General took 
charge of the work of the farm, supervising every- 
thing in connection with it, and Mrs. Rusk re- 
sumed her household duties with as much ease 
and familiarity as though they had been dropped 
but the day before. Through all their years of 
official life the same unaffected simplicity of man- 
ner had pervaded their household, and it was 
commonly remarked among the old neighbors 
during all the years, that exalted position and 
rank had made no change. 

General Rusk thoroughly enjoyed his new life. 

He was, it may be true, a little lonely at times, 

and more keenly appreciative of company than he 

would otherwise have been, for it was a great 

31 



482 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

change from the busy, bustling life of a cabinet 
officer, with the direction of twenty-five hundred 
employees, to that of a quiet farm life, but he 
knew a peace and enjoyment which had not been 
his for years. The writer visited him at his farm 
shortly before he was taken ill, and was assured 
by the General that never in his life had he felt so 
well, and it was noticeable that never before had 
he shown a keener interest in public affairs. 
Everything connected with the department 
which he had created and built up was of first 
consideration to him. The Department of Agri- 
culture was his pet. He had fostered and pro- 
tected its every interest, and he watched its ca- 
reer with as much affection as the father would 
watch that of his child. 






GEN. BUSK'S CIVIL BE COED. 483 



CHAPTER XLIX. 

GENERAL RUSK'S CIVIL RECORD. 

Elected Sheriff of Bad Ax, now Vernon, County, 
^Wisconsin, in 1855. 

Elected Coroner, same county, in 1S5T. 

Elected a Member of the Wisconsin Legislature 
in 18(31. 

Elected State Bank Comptroller in 1865, and 

reelected in 1867. 

Elected Representative to the 42d Congress 
from the 6th Congressional District, Wisconsin, 
in 1870; reelected to the 43d Congress from the 
7th District, Wisconsin, in 1872; and again 
elected to the 41th Congress from the same dis- 
trict in 1874. 

Delegate to the Republican National Conven- 
tion at Chicago, 1880. 

Nominated by President Garfield as Minister 
to Uruguay and Paraguay, and unanimously con- 
firmed by U. S. Senate, in 1881. [This appoint- 
ment was declined.] He was also tendered the 
appointment as Minister to Denmark, and after- 



484 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

ward as Chief of the Bureau of Engraving and 
Printing, both of which he declined. 

Elected Governor of Wisconsin in 1881; again 
in 1884; and reelected for the third term in 1886. 

Appointed Secretary of Agriculture in the cab- 
inet of President Harrison on the 4th day of 
March, 1889, and served during his administra- 
tion. 



CLOSING WOBDS. 485 



CHAPTER L. 
CLOSING WORDS. 

In closing this imperfect sketch of the life and 
public services of General Rusk, it is proper for 
the writer, in view of its imperfections, to say 
that he only undertook the work to carry out an 
oft repeated promise made to his dead friend- -a 
work that should have been committed to more 
competent hands. 

If the private life of this man could be spread 
before the public as it was known to his few in- 
timate friends, it would present a most charming 
picture. 

No man will be missed more by the people of 
Wisconsin than will General Rusk. This will be 
especially the case with his political associates. 
At every convention of the Republican party in 
Wisconsin the stalwart and handsome form of the 
"Vernon Chieftain," as he was familiarly called, 
was the most conspicuous figure present. He 
was a good fighter within party lines, as many 
prominent Republicans of Wisconsin well know, 
but he was a manly fighter, and never took an un- 
fair advantage of an opponent. 



486 JEREMIAH M. BUSK. 

General Rusk was the last of his type. No ex- 
alted position could change the simplicity of his 
character, in which was found his true greatness. 
With his old friends and neighbors he was the 
same Jerry Husk as when he came to Wisconsin, 
a poor boy. He never forgot his friends, and 
when adversity had overtaken them, he was the 
first to proffer assistance. 

The night before his death occurred he talked 
to the writer very affectionately about many of 
his associates, and was as solicitous in his en- 
quiries about those who had served him in the 
humblest positions as he was of those who had 
traveled with him the higher walks of life. He 
was always a devout man ; a deep vein of religious 
belief pervading him at all times. He had the 
highest respect for those who preached the gos- 
pel, and while he was not a professing christian, 
his life exemplified, in the highest degree, a chris- 
tian character. 

At this same interview he asked the writer, 
"Did you ever know me to wrong a human be- 
ing?" to which reply was made that I did not, 
and that I did not believe that he ever had 
wronged a fellow being. He said,. "I presume I 
have, but as God is my judge, I never intended to. 
I have been through many hard experiences in 
life — have been in many trying places, but I 
never, for one moment, forgot my God." He re- 
ferred, at this interview, to the late James G. 



CLOSING WORDS. 487 

Blaine, and to the proneness of the American 
people to vilify a public man, even after he was 
in his grave. 

General Rusk had no fear of death. This he 
expressed to the writer, with the remark that his 
one regret came through leaving his loved ones 
unprotected. He was the idol of his household, 
and the idol of his political associates. 

In the administration of the Department of 
Agriculture it was essential that the Secretary be 
secluded from nearly all of his official associates, 
and it was rarely that any one lower in rank than 
the Chief of a Division had an opportunity to con- 
verse with him, or, in fact to see him. The writer 
has many times noted the pleasure depicted upon 
the faces of the subordinate employee who was 
so fortunate as to have a moment or two in his 
charming presence, for to look into General Rusk's 
beautiful blue eye was to see mirrored a soul as 
pure and undefiled as that of a babe. 

His presence brought sunshine to any gather- 
ing, and every one who came in contact with him 
was the better for it. Deprived of the opportuni- 
ties of an education himself, he had, quietly and 
unostentatiously, assisted in the education of very 
many young men, trusting to their honor to repay 
him, and, to the credit of the young men whom he 
thus befriended it may be said that every one of 
them acknowledged the obligation by repaying 
him. These opportunities afforded General Rusk 



488 JEREMIAH M. RUSK. 

much satisfaction. He frequently referred to 
them, saying that nothing in his life gave him 
greater pleasure than to aid a deserving young 
man in procuring an education. 

General Rusk's political foresight was marvel- 
ous. Sitting with a party of friends, among 
whom was the writer, in 1893, a short time before 
his last illness, he made the prediction that a Re- 
publican tidal wave would submerge the country 
in 1894, and that Wisconsin would give a phe- 
nomenal Republican majority. lie gave as his 
reasons for this belief that there would be a re- 
turning home of all the wanderers of the Repub- 
lican party who had strayed away from the fold 
in 1872 and since that time. It would not be new 
converts — it would simply be the coming home of 
those who had left us, and would return to their 
first love. This was fully demonstrated in the 
election of 1894. General Rusk was one of the 
most painstaking and methodical politicians that 
the country has ever known. In considering any 
proposition, the present was entirely ignored, 
and the effect upon the Republican party in the 
future was the consideration. 

He did nothing hastily — every proposition com- 
ing before him was carefully weighed. He made 
no promises that were not fulfilled. His word 
was sacredly and religiously kept in every in- 
stance. He was as careful in protecting the in- 
terests of the state as he was in protecting his 



CLOSING WORDS. 489 

own fireside. He was intensely practical. His 
mind could grasp and comprehend a strong legal 
proposition as vigorosly as it could the simplest 
proposition coming before him. 

The late Chief Justice, Harlow S. Orton, was a 
great admirer of General Rusk. He had known 
him intimately and well throughout his whole ca- 
reer, in war times and in civil life, as a private 
citizen and as a public official, and he frequently 
spoke of him as a diamond in the rough. He 
had observed him closely from the earliest date 
of his official life up through all the gradations 
of the public service, which he had experienced. 
He had noticed his sound judgment, his great fa- 
miliarity with public affairs, and especially that 
quality which seemed to be intuitive of his knowl- 
edge of the constitution and the law, bearing 
upon the many important questions upon which 
the old Governor was called to pass. He once 
said when speaking of Gen. Rusk, that he was a 
most wonderful man, that he had an intuitive 
knowledge of every subject, that, while he had 
never studied law or practiced it, he was, never- 
theless, a great lawyer. "Why," said he, with 
that emphatic style of speech which oftentimes 
characterized his utterances, "he will smell an un 
constitutional or illegal provision in a bill be 
fore him for approval, while perhaps the sharp 
est lawyer in the state would fail to discover it.' 
This was true of Governor Rusk. No bill ever 



/33 



490 JEREMIAH M. R USK. 






escaped that scrutiny which it deserved, if it was 
one of doubtful character, or if there might be 
found somewhere in its lines, that which was im- 
politic, illegal or unconstitutional, and perhaps 
none of his predecessors, although they may have 
been lawyers, were ever more successful in laying 
bare bad legislation, or in bringing to bear upon 
the consideration of all the legislative bills that 
came before him, a greater breadth or compre- 
hension of the points involved. 

In reviewing his life it is difficult for me to 
point out a single mistake he ever made. He 
perhaps made mistakes, but I loved the man too 
well to see them. When the future record is 
made up and the judgment entered, there will be 
found as much to his credit as that of any man 
who ever lived upon American soil. He always 
intended to do right, and it is my belief that he 
always did do right. 



